Hepatitis C infection among injecting drug users attending the National Drug Treatment Centre. 1995

R Smyth, and E Keenan, and A Dorman, and J O'Connor
Drug Treatment Board, Dublin 2.

During a one year period from August 1992 to August 1993, 272 injecting drug users attending the National Drug Treatment Centre were tested for antibody to Hepatitis C Virus with a second generation EIA test. The overall sero-prevalence was 84% (N = 229). A significantly greater proportion of females tested positive than males (Female: Male, 94% v 80%, p < 0.012). Looking at sero-prevalence of Hepatitis C in relation to duration of intravenous drug misuse, we found that in those patients with a duration of misuse of greater than two years (N = 156) the sero-prevalence was 95% and in those with a duration of intravenous drug misuse of less than two years (N = 116) the sero-prevalence was 70%. We conclude that needle sharing continues to occur among injecting drug users during their first two years of injecting, despite the existence of harm minimization programmes. Our results would suggest that female injecting drug users are involved in greater at risk behaviour in relation to Hepatitis C than their male counterparts.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007494 Ireland A country in western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain. The capital is Dublin. Eire,Ireland, Republic of,Irish Free State
D008297 Male Males
D005260 Female Females
D006266 Health Education Education that increases the awareness and favorably influences the attitudes and knowledge relating to the improvement of health on a personal or community basis. Community Health Education,Education, Health,Education, Community Health,Health Education, Community
D006526 Hepatitis C INFLAMMATION of the LIVER in humans caused by HEPATITIS C VIRUS, a single-stranded RNA virus. Its incubation period is 30-90 days. Hepatitis C is transmitted primarily by contaminated blood parenterally and is often associated with transfusion and intravenous drug abuse. However, in a significant number of cases, the source of hepatitis C infection is unknown. Hepatitis, Viral, Non-A, Non-B, Parenterally-Transmitted,Parenterally-Transmitted Non-A, Non-B Hepatitis,PT-NANBH,Parenterally Transmitted Non A, Non B Hepatitis
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293 Adolescent A person 13 to 18 years of age. Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D012309 Risk-Taking Undertaking a task involving a challenge for achievement or a desirable goal in which there is a lack of certainty or a fear of failure. It may also include the exhibiting of certain behaviors whose outcomes may present a risk to the individual or to those associated with him or her. Risk Behavior,Behavior, Risk,Behaviors, Risk,Risk Behaviors,Risk Taking
D013997 Time Factors Elements of limited time intervals, contributing to particular results or situations. Time Series,Factor, Time,Time Factor

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