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 | 1% |
Unknown | 68 | 99% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Unspecified | 29 | 42% |
Student > Bachelor | 10 | 14% |
Other | 5 | 7% |
Student > Doctoral Student | 3 | 4% |
Professor | 3 | 4% |
Other | 9 | 13% |
Unknown | 10 | 14% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Unspecified | 29 | 42% |
Medicine and Dentistry | 14 | 20% |
Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 3 | 4% |
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 2 | 3% |
Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutical Science | 2 | 3% |
Other | 8 | 12% |
Unknown | 11 | 16% |