Hepatitis B and C infection among drug abusers in Nepal.
Article
in English
| IMSEAR
| ID: sea-124556
ABSTRACT
Prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus infection amongst intravenous drug users (IDU) in Nepal is not known. To estimate such prevalence 72 IDU individuals were tested for HBV and HCV markers. About 80% of the drug abusers are both anti-HBc (59/72) and anti-HCV (58/72) sero-positive. However persistent infection with hepatitis B, as indicated by positive HBsAg, was detected in only 5.5% (n = 4). Active hepatitis C infection, as indicated by HCV RNA positivity, was documented in 74% (42/58) of those who were anti-HCV positive. Importance of awareness of this observation among the healthcare workers in the prevention of hepatitis C in the community is stressed.
Full text:
Available
Index:
IMSEAR (South-East Asia)
Main subject:
Aged
/
Humans
/
Male
/
RNA, Viral
/
Biomarkers
/
Substance Abuse, Intravenous
/
Child
/
Hepatitis B virus
/
Prevalence
/
Adolescent
Type of study:
Prevalence study
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
English
Year:
1996
Type:
Article
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