The prevalence of antibody against hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV)
and
five hepatitis B virus
markers (HBVM) was measured in 176 Chinese drug addicts, of whom 23 were
AIDS patients.
Of 176 drug addicts, 147 were members of ethnic minorities while 29 were
Han, the majority
ethnic group. The total prevalence rates of anti-HCV and HBVM were
35·8% and 50·6%
respectively, significantly different (P<0·01).
Anti-HCV and HBVM were together found in
22·7%. Similar prevalence rates were found among the different ethnic
groups. Among the
ethnic minorities, there was a significantly higher prevalence rate of
anti-HCV in intravenous
drug addicts (IVDA, 51·1%) than in oral drug addicts (20·3%).
Furthermore, the prevalence of
anti-HCV was significantly higher in needle-sharing abusers (60·4%)
than in non-needle sharing
ones (37·1%, P<0·05). The prevalence of HBVM
was
also significantly higher in needle-sharing abusers (69·8%) than
in
non-needle sharing ones (34·3%). Prevalence of HBsAg was
significantly higher in drug abusers with AIDS (47·8%) than in
IVDA only (16·1%). The anti-HCV positive rates among ethnic
minority people were: for the Yi people 69·2%, the Hui
55·6%, the Bai 53·9%, the Dai 26·8% and the Wa 23·1%.
No obvious difference was
identified for HBVM. The prevalence rates of HCV, HBV and HCV+HBV in IVDA
showed
no significant difference (P>0·05) between the two
regions. HIV, HCV and HBV infections
may promote each other and be related to needle-sharing behaviour in drug
abuse and to different subcultures and living habits.