Prevalence of hepatitis B and anti-hepatitis C virus antibody among people who inject drugs in the Lebanese population

Abstract

Background: People who inject drugs (PWIDs) are prone to a number of blood-borne viral infections. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) constitute an important public health concern in this high risk group. Aims: We aimed to determine the prevalence of HBV and HCV antibody among PWIDs in Lebanon. Methods: We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study between June 2015 and June 2016 on PWIDs recruited through Lebanese nongovernmental organizations in collaboration with the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health. The participants were tested for HBs antigen and HCV antibody using rapid test kits. The prevalence of each virus was then calculated. The correlation between both infections and other possible risk factors was also analysed. Results: A total of 250 people were included in our study, of whom 98% were males. Mean age was 31.9 (standard deviation 8.7) years. The prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HCV among PWIDs was 1.2% and 15.6%, respectively. Older age, longer duration of drug use and lack of awareness were significantly correlated with a higher rate of HCV infection (P < 0.01). The high rate of needle sharing among our PWIDs significantly affected the prevalence of anti-HCVAb. Conclusion: PWIDs remain the subpopulation most affected with chronic HCV in Lebanon.

Challenges Facing Viral Hepatitis C Elimination in Lebanon

“…Intravenous drug use and blood transfusion are the most common routes of transmission, followed by hemodialysis [ 23 , 27 ]. Vertical and sexual transmissions are the least common routes of infection, representing 0.2% and 0.3% of HCV transmission cases, respectively ( Table 2 ) [ 28 ]. Several studies have reported HCV prevalence among people who inject drugs (PWID) and prisoners.…”

“…Several studies have reported HCV prevalence among people who inject drugs (PWID) and prisoners. In a recent study conducted in 2020, HCV prevalence among 250 PWID was 15.6% [ 28 ], while previous studies showed a higher rate, reaching 52.8% [ 19 ]. In another small study, HCV prevalence among prisoners was 3.4% [ 29 ], with a higher rate of 28.1% reported a few years later in a larger study [ 30 ].…”

“…Intravenous drug use remains a serious public health problem in Lebanon, as it increases the risk of blood-borne infections. Compared to the general population, people who inject drugs (PWID) are the most common subpopulation infected with hepatitis C [ 28 , 33 ]. Of the HCV-positive drug users, 53.8% have been found to have a history of sharing unsterile syringes because of the knowledge barrier and/or limited access to sterile equipment.…”

“…Of the HCV-positive drug users, 53.8% have been found to have a history of sharing unsterile syringes because of the knowledge barrier and/or limited access to sterile equipment. Almost 21.6% of HCV-positive drug users have been found to be unaware of the possibility of transmission when using unsterile needles [ 28 ]. On the other hand, even those who are aware of the complications face difficulties obtaining sterile equipment.…”

“…Eastern Mediterranean health journal: La revue de sante de la Mediterranee orientale: al-Majallah al-sihhiyah li-sharq al-mutawassit, 26(4), 461–467. ; accessed on 11 December 2021 [ 28 ].…”