METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Enugu State, using privileged access interviewer methods to enroll drug users. Pre-tested structured questionnaires were administered after informed consent was obtained. Blood samples were tested for HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBeAb, and HBcAb using immunochromatographic rapid test kits. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.
RESULTS: One hundred drug users were recruited into the study. Overall, 7% of the drug users had HBV infection. 61% were found to be susceptible to HBV infection, 15% showed serological evidence of immunity from HBV vaccination and 1% developed natural immunity from HBV exposure. Significant risk factors for HBV infection were age less than 20 years, young age (≤ 20 years) at drug initiation, being single, injecting drugs more than or equal to 20 times per month and injecting with used syringes.
CONCLUSIONS: This study shows high intermediate endemicity of HBV infection among drug users, low vaccination uptake, and high susceptibility to HBV infection. This calls for the urgent inclusion of drug users in national HBV vaccination campaigns and the adoption of the World Health Organization\'s recommendations on the prevention of viral hepatitis among people who inject drugs.
方法:在埃努古州进行了一项横断面研究,使用特权访问面试官方法注册吸毒者。在获得知情同意后,进行预先测试的结构化问卷。血液样本进行了HBsAg测试,HBsAb,HBeAg,HBeAb,和HBcAb使用免疫层析快速检测试剂盒。使用SPSS版本25进行统计学分析。
结果:招募了100名吸毒者参与研究。总的来说,7%的吸毒者有HBV感染。61%被发现是HBV感染易感,15%显示了HBV疫苗接种免疫的血清学证据,1%的HBV暴露产生了自然免疫。HBV感染的重要危险因素是年龄小于20岁,药物开始时年龄较小(≤20岁),单身,每月注射药物超过或等于20次,并用用过的注射器注射。
结论:这项研究表明,在吸毒者中,HBV感染具有较高的中度流行,低疫苗接种率,对HBV感染的易感性高。这要求将吸毒者紧急纳入国家乙肝疫苗接种运动,并采纳世界卫生组织关于注射吸毒者预防病毒性肝炎的建议。