Viral Hepatitis in a Canadian Street-involved Population
Background: Data on the prevalence and compliance with management of viral hepatitis in the street-involved population are limited. Method: Hepatitis A (HAV), B (HBV) and C (HCV) serology and compliance with HBV vaccination were documented in 533 street-involved individuals. Results: The mean age of...
| Published in: | Canadian Journal of Public Health |
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
| Format: | Text |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Springer International Publishing
2002
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6979664/ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11963516 https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404552 |
| Summary: | Background: Data on the prevalence and compliance with management of viral hepatitis in the street-involved population are limited. Method: Hepatitis A (HAV), B (HBV) and C (HCV) serology and compliance with HBV vaccination were documented in 533 street-involved individuals. Results: The mean age of the study population was 25.7 years (range: 11–65) and 53% were female. Serologic evidence of HAV infection was present in 53%; HBV, 12% (3% ongoing infection); and HCV, 17%. HAV infections were associated with Aboriginal/Metis ethnicity and age over 25 years; HBV with injection drug use (IDU); and HCV with IDU, sex trade work and age over 25 years. Compliance with three-step HBV vaccination was 98%, 77% and 63%. Conclusions: HAV, HBV and HCV are common infections in urban street-involved persons. Successful HBV (and presumably HAV) vaccination can be achieved in the majority of this population, but concerns exist regarding compliance with more long-term, parenterally-based antiviral therapies. |
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