HCV and HIV infection among heroin addicts in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) and not in MMT in Changsha and Wuhan, China.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To compare HCV and HIV infection among heroin addicts in MMT and not in MMT in two large cities in central China.

Methods

A total of 541 heroin addicts were recruited from MMT clinics and voluntary detoxification centers in Changsha and Wuhan, China. Structured questionnaires collected data on their socio-demographics, clinical status, risk behaviors, and their knowledge of HIV. Their HIV serostatus and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) serostatus were determined by testing antibodies in blood serum.

Results

We observed a higher prevalence of HCV infection among MMT heroin addicts (82.3%) than that in the non-MMT group (50.6%). However, our findings indicated that the heroin addicts in MMT had less drug or sexual HIV/HCV risk behaviors and more knowledge about HIV tha

SUBMITTER: Wang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3448629 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature