Amin Doosti-Irani1, Hamid Mokhaeri2, Ali Chegini Sharafi2, Mohammad Reza Aghasadeghi3, Morteza Hajimiragha3, Mohammad Saki4, Mohammad Hassan Kayedi4, Ehsan Mostafavi5. 1. Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran. 2. Deputy of Health, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran. 3. Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran. 4. Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran. 5. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran. mostafaviehsan@gmail.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Homeless people are at a higher risk of blood-born infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV and related risk factors among male homeless people. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. METHODS: This study was conducted in Khorramabad City, western Iran from January to June 2015. A pre-designed validated questionnaire was used to collect the data on behavioral and other potential risk factors. Blood samples were taken in order to diagnose HIV, hepatitis B and C infections. The prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B, C and related risk factors was reported with a 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: The participants were 307 male homeless people with a mean (±SD) age of 35.86 (±9.62) yr. The prevalence of HIV, HBs Ag, and HCV Ab positive cases was 6.51% (95% CI: 4.23, 9.90), 0.98% (95% CI: 0.31, 3.00), and 31.27% (26.31, 36.71), respectively. The prevalence of co-infections of HIV and HCV Ab+ was 5.76% (95% CI: 1.34, 8.51). The most common recently used drugs were heroin, methamphetamine, and opium with a prevalence of 44.30%, 41.04%, and 24.76%, correspondingly. CONCLUSIONS: According to this study, prevalence of HIV and hepatitis C among homeless people was considerable. Abusing heroin, methamphetamine, and industrial drugs was also significant. Considering the association between drug abuse, HIV, and hepatitis C infections, planning for effective control and preventive interventions is important in homeless people.
BACKGROUND: Homeless people are at a higher risk of blood-born infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV and related risk factors among male homeless people. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. METHODS: This study was conducted in Khorramabad City, western Iran from January to June 2015. A pre-designed validated questionnaire was used to collect the data on behavioral and other potential risk factors. Blood samples were taken in order to diagnose HIV, hepatitis B and C infections. The prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B, C and related risk factors was reported with a 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: The participants were 307 male homeless people with a mean (±SD) age of 35.86 (±9.62) yr. The prevalence of HIV, HBs Ag, and HCV Ab positive cases was 6.51% (95% CI: 4.23, 9.90), 0.98% (95% CI: 0.31, 3.00), and 31.27% (26.31, 36.71), respectively. The prevalence of co-infections of HIV and HCV Ab+ was 5.76% (95% CI: 1.34, 8.51). The most common recently used drugs were heroin, methamphetamine, and opium with a prevalence of 44.30%, 41.04%, and 24.76%, correspondingly. CONCLUSIONS: According to this study, prevalence of HIV and hepatitis C among homeless people was considerable. Abusing heroin, methamphetamine, and industrial drugs was also significant. Considering the association between drug abuse, HIV, and hepatitis C infections, planning for effective control and preventive interventions is important in homeless people.
Authors: Abbas Ahmadi Vasmehjani; Sajad Yaghubi; Yousef Erfani; Zamaneh Hajikhezri; Mohammad Farahmand; Mohammad Shayestehpour; Omid Ali Adeli; Maryam Beiranvand Journal: Int J Prev Med Date: 2020-11-26