Hepatitis C Screening in Isfahan Drop in Centers: An Experience Description

Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors

1 AIDS, Hepatitis and Sexual Transmitted Diseases Expert, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences Health Center, Isfahan, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine and Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

3 Researcher, Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

4 Technical Manager, Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

5 Specialist in Infections Diseases, Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

6 Expert Responsible for Prevention, Welfare Organization, Isfahan, Iran

7 Prevention Assistant, Welfare Organization, Isfahan, Iran

8 Associate Professor, Department of Gastroenterology, School of Medicine and Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major public health problem in the world which drug injection is a primary mode of transmission for it. So, this study was conducted to determine seroprevalence of HCV in intravenous drug abusers (IVDA) in Isfahan province Drop in centers (DIC).Methods: This qualitative/quantitave study used triangulation method in data collection and analysis. Five semi-structured focus groups with open-ended questions were disposed to evaluate and discuss on aspects of the study. Intravenous drug abusers in Isfahan province Drop in centers by non-probable purposive sampling method entered into the study voluntarily and blood sample was obtained from them. Serum samples were tested for HCV-Ab using ELISA method.Finding: There were seven govermental Drop in centers including 4 related to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences and 3 related to welfare organization which contained 1581 intravenous drug abusers members. From them, 539 patients (34%) enterd into the study from which, 250 (47.1%) patients were positive for HCV-Ab without significant differences between men and women. The main impressive factors for the project were wage for blood obtaning, occupational insurance, problems in interview and sampling, and time restriction.Conclusion: This was a good experience for other investigators and health directors’ strategies to design simillar studies or harm reduction.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 28, Issue 0
November and December 2011
Pages 1553-1559

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History

  • Receive Date: 20 March 2011
  • Revise Date: 07 May 2024
  • Accept Date: 06 April 2022

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