frequency of hepatitis b and c viruses, and hiv among drug addicts in the eastern anatolia, turkey

Background: hepatitis b, hepatitis c and hiv infections constitute serious healthcare problems worldwide. objectives: there are a limited number of studies regarding the prevalence of hepatitis b, hepatitis c and hiv infections among the drug addicts in turkey; hence, the current study aimed to determine the frequency of these infections among 235 drug addicts treated in a drug addiction treatment centre/elazig, turkey. patients and methods: hbsag, anti-hbs, anti-hcv and anti-hiv tests in 235 drug addicts were studied by elisa technique. urine samples obtained from drug addicts were analyzed for cannabis, opiate and cocaine metabolites. results: all the 235 drug users were males, and their mean age was 30.69 ± 9.494 years; 112 (47.7%) of them were in the age group ranging 20 - 29 years (p < 0.05). of 235 drug addicts, 113 (48.1%) and 115 (48.9%) were only cannabis and opiate users, respectively. in urine samples of seven (3%) drug addicts both cannabis and opiate metabolites were detected. cocaine was detected in none of the urine samples. the frequencies of hbsag, anti-hbs and anti-hcv among drug addicts were 2.6%, 38.3%, and 9.4%, respectively. none of the drug addicts was positive for hiv. anti-hcv was more prevalent in opiate users than in cannabis users: 15.7% vs. 1.8% (p < 0.001). conclusions: the obtained results showed that hcv infection was an alarming problem among opiate users in the eastern part of turkey. it is suggested to rapidly diagnose the infected persons; thus preventive measures and appropriate control may limit further transmission of these infections.