RESUMO
Nos propusimos estimar la prevalencia y factores de riesgo asociados con la transmisión del virus de la hepatitis C (VHC) en usuarios de drogas ilícitas. Estudio descriptivo realizado en tres centros de rehabilitación y una cárcel en el 2009. Mediante entrevista se recolectó información sociodemográfica y factores de riesgo en 259 participantes. Anticuerpos anti-VHC fueron investigados en suero utilizando dos inmunoensayos. La prevalencia de VHC fue del 0%. El 98% usa drogas ilícitas por vía oral o nasal y 4,2% intravenosa. El 78% consume marihuana, 51% bazuco, 50,2% cocaína y 22,8% anfetaminas. El 59% ha consumido drogas por más de 5 años, 60,2% usa tatuajes, 17,8% piercings y 84,9% practica relaciones sexuales sin preservativo. La prevalencia de infección por VHC fue inferior a la descrita en Latinoamérica en usuarios de drogas. Se identificaron factores de riesgo que facilitarían la infección por el virus una vez sea introducido en esta población.
The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and identify risk factors associated with the transmission this virus among drug users. In 2009 we performed a cross-sectional study at three facilities handling cases of drug addiction and in one prison. 259 participants were interviewed to collect socio-demographic information and determine risk factors. Anti-HCV antibodies were identified with two different immunoassays. HCV prevalence was 0%. 98% of participants used illegal drugs either orally or nasally while 4.2% injected drugs. 78% of participants reported marijuana consumption, 51% reported consumption of bazuco (Colombian variant of crack cocaine), 50.2% reported cocaine consumption and 22.8% reported amphetamine consumption. 59% had consumed drugs for more than 5 years, 60.2% had tattoos, 17.8% had piercings, and 84.9% have practiced unsafe sex. HCV prevalence was lower than reported in previous studies of drug users in Latin-America. However, we identified risk factors that would facilitate HCV infection once the virus is introduced in this population.