Bloodborne Viral Hepatitis Infections among Drug Users: The Role of Vaccination

Abstract

Drug use is a prevalent world-wide phenomenon and hepatitis virus infections are traditionally a major health problem among drug users (DUs). HBV and HCV, and to a lesser extent HAV, are easily transmitted through exposure to infected blood and body fluids. Viral hepatitis is not inevitable for DUs. Licensed vaccines are available for hepatitis A and hepatitis B. The purpose of this overview is to show some epidemiological data about HBV and the other blood-borne viral hepatitis among DUs and to summarize and discuss use of hepatitis vaccinations in this population. Successful vaccination campaigns among DUs are feasible and well described. We try to focus on the most significant results achieved in successful vaccination programs as reported in scientific literature. Vaccination campaigns among DUs represent a highly effective form of health education and they are cost-saving.

Predictors of HAV/HBV vaccination completion among methadone maintenance clients

“…HBV vaccination completion rates were high among groups of non-MM treatment drug users attending public health drug treatment centers in Italy (Quaglio et al, 2002). Other investigators have examined the impact of vaccine completion among persons who are enrolled in MM programs and have suggested that MM programs are an ideal place to provide HBV vaccination as these settings require frequent attendance (Lugoboni, Quaglio, Civitelli, & Mezzelani, 2009). For example, Borg et al (1999) reported a compliance rate of 86% for all three HBV doses among MM clinic attendees in New York City.…”

Correlates of Susceptibility to Hepatitis B among People Who Inject Drugs in Sydney, Australia

“…While injecting drug use is the leading exposure category for notifications of newly acquired hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Australia 1 and vaccination is recommended for high-risk adults including people who inject drugs (PWID), 2 HBV immunization coverage in this group remains low. 3 This is despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine being available free-of-charge for PWID in a range of clinical settings. Although the hepatitis B vaccine was included in Australia's infant vaccination schedule for 2000 with coverage reaching 86% of 1-year-old children in 2002, 4 universal infant vaccination will not impact on the immunity of Australia's adult populations for several decades.…”

Patologia das doenças

“…Os usuários de drogas ilícitas apresentam elevado risco de adquirir microrganismos por meio de contato com sangue e/ou por relações sexuais desprotegidas (ALTER 2003;LUGOBONI et al, 2009;STRATHDEE & STOCKMAN, 2010 , 2009). No Sudeste do Brasil, prevalência relativamente semelhante (12,9%) foi observada entre usuários de drogas ilícitas no Rio de Janeiro (BASTOS et al, 2000).…”