The Seroepidemiology of Hepatitis C Infection in Drug Abusers Referring to Shiraz Drug Rehabilitation Centers

Background: Drug abusers are one of the most at risk populations for hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission worldwide. The aims of this study were to measure the seroprevalence of HCV and to compare certain related risk factors in participants who were referred to drug rehabilitation centers affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Materials and Methods: Blood samples and interviews containing questions about age, sex, level of education, house status, jobs, history of imprisonment and psychiatric problems, age at the first drug and first intravenous (IV) drug uses, safe and unsafe sexual activity, and time and duration of IV drug use in the past 30 days were obtained from 1116 participants in rehabilitation centers. The sera were tested for anti-HCV antibody using enzyme immunoassay. The data were analyzed using independent samples t test and one way ANOVA for quantitative variables and Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests for qualitative variables. Results: Among the 844 participants who agreed to blood sampling, the prevalence of HCV infection was 14.2%. The significant positive associations were detected between anti-HCV antibody positivity and higher levels of education ( p =0.008), no history of imprisonment ( p <0.001), having a job ( p =0.006), having a partner ( p <0.001), and higher age at the first drug use ( p <0.001). Conclusion: The seroprevalence of HCV infection among drug abuser was very high in comparison with the general population of Iran. Making policies to prevent transmission of HCV infection among this high risk subpopulation is highly recommended.