1. Viral Hepatitis in a Canadian Street-involved Population
- Author
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Moses, S., Mestery, K., Kaita, K. D. E., and Minuk, G. Y.
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,Adolescent ,Hepatitis, Viral, Human ,Hepatitis A Antibodies ,Article ,Risk Factors ,Prevalence ,Humans ,Hepatitis B Vaccines ,Hepatitis Antibodies ,Hepatitis B Antibodies ,Child ,Aged ,Demography ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,virus diseases ,Manitoba ,General Medicine ,Hepatitis A ,Hepatitis C Antibodies ,Middle Aged ,Hepatitis B ,Hepatitis C ,digestive system diseases ,Ill-Housed Persons ,Patient Compliance ,Female - Abstract
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.
- Published
- 2002