FREQUENCY OF HBV, HCV, AND HIV AMONG INJECTION DRUG USERS (IDUS), AND CO-RELATION WITH SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, TYPE USE AND DURATION OF SUBSTANCE USE.

Abstract

Introduction: Psychoactive drug use is a continual and chronic psychological and physical disease that is characterized by persistent substance use, regardless of detrimental results. Hepatitis B, C and HIV infections constitute serious healthcare issues worldwide. Objectives: To determine the frequency of HBV, HCV, and HIV among Injection Drug Users (IDUs), visiting a tertiary care centre at Karachi, Pakistan, co-relation with socioeconomic status, type of substance use and duration of substance use. Study Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study. Setting: Psychiatry Outpatient Department (OPD), Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, JPMC, Karachi. Period: 5^th Aug 2016 to 5^th Feb 2017. Material and Methods: Total 280 cases of both genders having Injection Drug Use history were enrolled in the study. Non-probability (consecutive) sampling was done. The data was analysed on SPSS version 20.0. Results: The average age of patients was 32.26 ±9.83 years. Majority 256 (91.4%) were male. Out of 280, 142 (50.7%) were married, 108 (38.6%) were single, 20 (7.1%) were widow and 10 (3.6%) were divorced/separated. Most of patients belonged to lower socioeconomic class. Opioids were the most common substance used and most of patients were using substance for more than 2 years. Majority of patients were preliterate or educated till primary and were jobless. HCV was predominantly present followed by HBV, HIV as 47 (16.8%), 22 (7.9%) and 9 (3.2%) respectively. Conclusion: Frequency of infections with HBV, HCV and HIV is quite high and alarming.