Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Infection and Associated Risk Factors among Drug Users in Drop‑in Centers of Isfahan, Iran

Roya Taleban, Mohammad Moaf, Behrooz Ataei, Majid Yaran, Zary Nokhodian, Nazila Kassaian, Peyman Adibi, Abbasali Javadi

Abstract


Background: Scientists perceive drug users (DUs) as a high‑risk population for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Effective strategies aiming at the reduction of HBV infection can be depicted when its epidemiological status is clearly defned. The present study provides new insight into associated risk factors of HBV infection and its seroepidemiological status among DUs attending drop‑in centers (DICs).

Methods: This was a cross‑sectional study, which was implemented in 7
DICs of Isfahan province. The sample size included 539 participants. Demographic data and risk factors for HBV infection were obtained by a trained social worker using a self‑made structured questionnaire. Venous blood sample was obtained and tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B surface antibody, and total hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb) using enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: Mean age of the participants was 31.76 ± 8.4 years. They were
generally male, Iranian, urban, with an education level of high school or less. The prevalence of HBV infection (HBsAg and/or HBcAb) was 18% (88.490). Regression analysis showed that age, bloodletting, and drug injection, being the sexual partner of injecting DU (IDU), as well as frequency and duration of imprisonment positively correlated with HBV infection.

Conclusions: Drug injection bloodletting, and being the sexual partner of IDU, as well as frequency and duration of imprisonment could be considered as contributing factors in HBV infection.

Keywords: Drug users, hepatitis B, hepatitis B surface antigens, prevalence


Full Text:

PDF

References


Degenhardt L, Hall W. Extent of illicit drug use and dependence,

and their contribution to the global burden of disease. Lancet

;379:55‑70.

Jafari S, Mathias R, Joe RS, Baharlou S, Nasr A. Effect of

law enforcement on drug abuse: A comparison of substance

use in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Turkey. J Subst Use

;20:295‑300.

Amin‑Esmaeili M, Rahimi‑Movaghar A, Sharifi V, Hajebi A,

Radgoodarzi R, Mojtabai R, et al. Epidemiology of illicit drug

use disorders in iran: Prevalence, correlates, comorbidity and

service utilization results from the Iranian mental health survey.

Addiction 2016;111:1836‑47.

Rahimi‑Movaghar A, Noroozi A, Page K, Mohraz M,

McFarland W, Malekafzali H, et al. Transition to and Away from

Injecting Drug Use among Young Drug Users in Tehran, Iran:

A Qualitative Study; 2017.

Chen F, Zhang J, Guo F, Wen B, Luo S, Yuan D, et al. Hepatitis

B, C, and D virus infection showing distinct patterns between

injection drug users and the general population. J Gastroenterol

Hepatol 2017;32:515‑20.

Lanini S, Easterbrook PJ, Zumla A, Ippolito G. Hepatitis C:

Global epidemiology and strategies for control. Clin Microbiol

Infect 2016;22:833‑8.

Mahmood MA, Khawar S, Anjum AH, Ahmed SM, Rafiq S,

Nazir I, et al. Prevalence of Hepatitis B, C and HIV Infection

in Blood Donors of Multan Region. Vol. 10. Annals of King

Edward Medical University; 2016.

World Health Organization. Guidelines for the Prevention Care

and Treatment of Persons with Chronic Hepatitis B Infection:

March‑15. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization;

Lavanchy D, Kane M. Global epidemiology of hepatitis B virus

infection. Hepatitis B Virus in Human Diseases. Switzerland:

Springer; 2016. p. 187‑203.

Salehi‑Vaziri M, Sadeghi F, Almasi Hashiani A,

Gholami Fesharaki M, Alavian SM. Hepatitis B virus infection

in the general population of iran: An updated systematic review

and meta‑analysis. Hepat Mon 2016;16:e35577.

Kandelouei T, Vaezjalali M. Investigation of relative risk factors

of hepatitis B virus core antibody positivity among intravenous

drug users in Tehran, 2013. Novelty Biomed 2017;5:65‑70.

Alam‑Mehrjerdi Z, Abdollahi M, Higgs P, Dolan K. Drug use treatment and harm reduction programs in Iran: A unique model

of health in the most populated persian gulf country. Asian J

Psychiatr 2015;16:78‑83.

Brouard C, Pillonel J, Sogni P, Chollet A, Lazarus J, Pascal X,

et al. Hepatitis B virus in drug users in France: Prevalence

and vaccination history, ANRS‑Coquelicot Survey 2011–2013.

Epidemiol Infect 2017;145:1259‑69.

Chen F, Zhang J, Guo F, Wen B, Luo S, Yuan D, et al.

Hepatitis B, C, and D virus infection showing distinct patterns

between injection drug users and the general population.

J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2017;32:515‑20.

Nelson PK, Mathers BM, Cowie B, Hagan H, Des Jarlais D,

Horyniak D, et al. Global epidemiology of hepatitis B and

hepatitis C in people who inject drugs: Results of systematic

reviews. Lancet 2011;378:571‑83.

Rahimi‑Movaghar A, Razaghi EM, Sahimi‑Izadian E,

Amin‑Esmaeili M. HIV, hepatitis C virus, and hepatitis B virus

co‑infections among injecting drug users in Tehran, Iran. Int J

Infect Dis 2010;14:e28‑33.

Alavi SM, Behdad F. Seroprevalence study of hepatitis C and

hepatitis B virus among hospitalized intravenous drug users in

Ahvaz, Iran (2002‑2006). Hepat Mon 2010;10:101‑4.

Batool SM, Sanei‑Moghaddam E, Ghasem‑Zadeh I, Khosravi S.

Occult hepatitis B virus infection among anti‑HBc only positive

individuals in the Southeast of Iran in high prevalence of HBV

infection region. Iran Red Crescent Med J 2016;2009:90‑2.

Pereira LM, Martelli CM, Merchán‑Hamann E, Montarroyos UR,

Braga MC, de Lima ML, et al. Population‑based multicentric

survey of hepatitis B infection and risk factor differences among

three regions in Brazil. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2009;81:240‑7.

Oliveira MP, Matos MA, Silva ÁM, Lopes CL, Teles SA,

Matos MA, et al. Prevalence, risk behaviors, and virological

characteristics of hepatitis B virus infection in a group of men who

have sex with men in Brazil: Results from a respondent‑driven

sampling survey. PLoS One 2016;11:e0160916.

Alavian S, Mostajabi P, Malekzadeh R, Azimi K, Vosoogh H,

Sarrafi M, et al. Evaluation of hepatitis B transmission risk

factors in Tehran blood donors. Govaresh 2012;9:169‑75.

Matos MA, Ferreira RC, Rodrigues FP, Marinho TA,

Lopes CL, Novais AC, et al. Occult hepatitis B virus

infection among injecting drug users in the central‑west

region of Brazil. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2013;108. pii:

S0074‑02762013000300386.

Zhou YH, Yao ZH, Liu FL, Li H, Jiang L, Zhu JW, et al. High

prevalence of HIV, HCV, HBV and co‑infection and associated

risk factors among injecting drug users in Yunnan province,

China. PLoS One 2012;7:e42937.

Mohamed HI, Saad ZM, Abd‑Elreheem EM, Abd‑ElGhany WM,

Mohamed MS, Abd Elnaeem EA, et al. Hepatitis C, hepatitis B

and HIV infection among Egyptian prisoners: Seroprevalence,

risk factors and related chronic liver diseases. J Infect Public

Health 2013;6:186‑95.

Dolan K, Wirtz AL, Moazen B, Ndeffo‑Mbah M, Galvani A,

Kinner SA, et al. Global burden of HIV, viral hepatitis,

and tuberculosis in prisoners and detainees. Lancet

;388:1089‑102.

Dolan K, Wirtz AL, Moazen B, Ndeffo‑Mbah M,

Galvani A, Kinner SA, et al. Global burden of HIV, viral

hepatitis, and tuberculosis in prisoners and detainees. The Lancet

;388:1089–102