Title |
Prevalence of HCV infection and associated factors among illicit drug users in Breves, State of Pará, northern Brazil
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Published in |
Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical, April 2014
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DOI | 10.1590/0037-8682-0153-2013 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Suzy Danielly Barbosa Pacheco, Gláucia Caroline Silva-Oliveira, Luciana Maria Cunha Maradei-Pereira, José Ângelo Barletta Crescente, José Alexandre Rodrigues de Lemos, Aldemir Branco de Oliveira-Filho |
Abstract |
Introduction: Illicit drug users (DUs) are vulnerable to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The shared use of illicit drugs is the main method of HCV transmission. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Breves, in northern Brazil. We surveyed 187 DUs to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with HCV infection. Results: The prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies was 36.9%, and the prevalence of hepatitis C virus-ribonucleic acid (HCV-RNA) was 31%. Hepatitis C virus infection was associated with tattoos, intravenous drug use, shared use of equipment for drug use, drug use for longer than 3 years, and daily drug use. Conclusions: Strategies for preventing and controlling HCV transmission should be implemented among DUs. |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Brazil | 1 | 3% |
Unknown | 37 | 97% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Bachelor | 10 | 26% |
Student > Doctoral Student | 3 | 8% |
Other | 3 | 8% |
Professor | 3 | 8% |
Student > Master | 3 | 8% |
Other | 6 | 16% |
Unknown | 10 | 26% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Medicine and Dentistry | 12 | 32% |
Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 3 | 8% |
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 2 | 5% |
Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutical Science | 2 | 5% |
Computer Science | 2 | 5% |
Other | 6 | 16% |
Unknown | 11 | 29% |