Izvorni znanstveni članak
Characteristics of Hepatitis C Infection in Injecting Drug Users in Zadar County, Croatia
Alan Medić
Boris Dželalija
Zdenko Sonicki
Dražen Zekanović
Sažetak
The aim of the study was to determine additional risk factors that could increase the prevalence of hepatitis C (HCV)
infection among injecting drug users (IDU). The study included 327 heroin addicts registered in Zadar County, Croatia.
The participants were divided into two groups according to their HCV status. HCV-positive and HCV-negative study participants
were compared. HCV-positive group started injecting heroin at earlier age (median 18.5 years) than HCV-negative
group (median 20.0 years) (p=0.032) and had been injecting heroin for a significantly longer period (median 5 years
vs. median 4 years, respectively; p<0.001). IDUs in HCV-positive group shared their injecting equipment significantly
more often than IDUs in HCV-negative group (p<0.001; c
2=32.7). The main reasons for starting drugs were curiosity,
psychological reasons (depression and/or neurosis), and peer or partner pressure in HCV-positive group, and fun, curiosity,
and peer pressure in HCV-negative group (p=0.051; c
2=23.6). Earlier onset of heroin use, longer heroin use, sharing
injection equipment, curiosity, and psychological problems as reasons for starting drugs were associated with higher
prevalence of HCV infection among injecting heroin users in Zadar County.
Ključne riječi
heroin addiction; hepatitis C; injecting drug users; risk factors
Hrčak ID:
27037
URI
Datum izdavanja:
2.9.2008.
Posjeta: 948 *