GERMANY: Factors Associated with Exposure to Hepatitis B Virus in Injection Drug Users

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2006. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

GERMANY: Factors Associated with Exposure to Hepatitis B Virus in Injection Drug Users

Drug and Alcohol Dependence Vol. 84; No. 2: P. 154-159 (09.15.06) - Thursday, December 21, 2006
Markus Backmund; Kirsten Meyer; Christian Schuetz; Jens Reimer

The current naturalistic study was undertaken to describe factors associated with exposure to hepatitis B virus (HBV) in injection drug users (IDUs) who have undergone treatment; its aim was to better direct prevention and care in high-risk subgroups.

In Munich, 1,018 patients who had ever shared needles and were admitted for opioid detoxification were included in the study. Bivariate and multiple logistic regression analysis included sociodemographic, drug and drug treatment related variables, and virological status (HCV, HIV). Sera tested positive for antibodies against anti-hepatitis B core antigen (HBc) in 40.2 percent, against HCV in 60.9 percent, and against HIV in 4.7 percent of patients.

Significant factors associated with positive anti-HBc-serology included older age, living without a partner, longer duration of IDU, positive drug treatment history, incarceration, emergency treatment, daily alcohol consumption, type of opioid dependency, and being positive for anti-HCV or anti-HIV. After employing multiple logistic regression, history of imprisonment and being positive for anti-HCV remained independently associated with positive anti-HBc-serology.

"HBV infection in IDUs should alert for simultaneous HCV infection. Contacts to the criminal justice system are to be used for HBV prevention programs, including vaccination when indicated," concluded the authors, who called for earlier prevention interventions.
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