PREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS AND HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS IN INJECTION DRUG USERS OF KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, AND FACTORS AFFECTING ITS OCCURRENCE

Abstract

Objective: Our main objective was to find out the prevalence of Hepatitis C virus and Human immunodeficiency virus and its co presence in injection drug users. We have to show the difference of occurrence of these viruses in injection drug users who had sexual relation with female sex workers or male sex with male, and those who had not; those who share the syringe and those who do not. Condition related epidemiology to be sought out.

Materials & Methods: This cross sectional analytical study with sub groups of cases and controls on the basis of presence or absence of different variables in injection drug users, was carried out in the rehabilitation center of Dost Welfare Foundation situated in the district Peshawar. Total study duration was 6months. Convenience sampling was done and patients age greater than 15 years, male sex and abusing injection drugs for at least one year were selected. Patients age less than 15 years, not consenting or not completing the interview were excluded. Individuals numbered 57 were selected and interviewed for the questions in the Pro forma (questionnaire). The lab results were obtained from the laboratory and register of Dost welfare Foundation. Results were prepared by manually analyzing data and presented through MS Word.

Results: The results showed that the prevalence of Hepatitis C virus among injection drug users was 26.3% (95%CI=14.8% to 37.7%) and that of Human immunodeficiency virus was 15.8% (95%CI=6.3% to 25.2%), while 5.3% of the injection drug users were co-infected with Human immunodeficiency virus and Hepatitis C virus . Among the injection drug users 52.6% shared the syringes or other drug equipment and among them 30% (odds ratio=1.5) had Hepatitis C virus, 13.3% (odds ratio=0.67) had Human immunodeficiency virus and 3.3% had both Hepatitis C virus and Human immunodeficiency virus . Similar number of injection drug users had unlawful sex with FSW/MSM i.e. 52.6% and among them 23.3% (odds ratio=0.72) had Hepatitis C virus and 23.3% (odds ratio=3.8) had Human immunodeficiency virus. Injection drug users that had unlawful sex as well as sharing the syringe and other drug equipment were 31.6% and among them 38.9% had Hepatitis C virus and 11.1% had Human immunodeficiency virus.

Conclusion: The Hepatitis C virus prevalence among injection drug users in our study population is not as common as in other parts of this country. Human immunodeficiency virus seems to be more prevalent in injection drug users in our study area as compared to other parts of this country. Sharing syringes or other drug equipment is an important risk factor for Hepatitis C virus and unlawful sex for Human immunodeficiency virus.