A cross-sectional analysis of acute hepatitis B virus reported to the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority from 2000 to 2003

Prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C and associated risk behaviours amongst injecting drug users in three Afghan cities

BACKGROUND

HIV amongst injecting drug users (IDUs) has been described in Kabul but little data exists for other Afghan cities. We assessed HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and C virus (HCV) prevalence and associated risk behaviours amongst IDUs in Hirat, Jalalabad, and Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan.

METHODS

Consented participants reporting injecting drugs within the previous 6 months completed interviewer-administered questionnaires and testing for HIV, hepatitis C antibody (HCV Ab), and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Logistic regression was used to determine characteristics associated with each infection.

RESULTS

Of 623 participants, most (98.7%) were male. Prevalence of HIV, HCV, and HBV was 1.8% (95% CI: 0.88-3.2), 36.0% (95% CI: 33-41), and 5.8% (95% CI: 3.9-7.6), respectively. All HIV cases and highest HCV prevalence were detected in Hirat; HBV prevalence was highest in Jalalabad. Amongst male IDUs, 62.9% had been imprisoned, of whom 17.2% (n=66) injected in prison. High risk behaviours were common; 30.2% reported needle sharing in the last 6 months, 23.1% reported sex with another male, and 50.4% reported paying females for sex. Behaviours varied significantly by site; generally, Hirat participants reported fewer sexual risk behaviours. Sex with other males was negatively associated with both HBV and HCV in multivariate logistic regression analysis; no injecting behaviours were associated with both HBV and HCV.

CONCLUSIONS

Whilst HIV prevalence is low, HCV prevalence and high risk behaviours were common in these populations. Regional variations should be considered in programming to prevent transmission of HIV and viral hepatitis amongst IDUs in Afghanistan.

Trends of acute hepatitis B hospitalizations, comorbidities, fatality rate, and costs associated with the hospitalization in Spain (2001-2006)

INTRODUCTION

The objective of this study is to analyze data related to hospitalization, comorbidities, fatality rate, average stays, and costs associated with hospitalized cases of acute hepatitis B in Spain, during 2001-2006.

METHODS

A retrospective study to analyze the characteristics of acute hepatitis B patients admitted to Spanish hospitals was performed using the minimum basic data set. Costs were calculated using the diagnosis-related groups for the disease.

RESULTS

The total number of hospitalized patients diagnosed with acute hepatitis B was 2160, of which 73.8% were diagnosed in men. The highest rate corresponds to the group aged 20-39 years (2.33/100 000 inhabitants). Ninety deaths (4.2%) were reported out of the total hospitalized patients. The average hospital stay was 10 days. The trends in the rate of hospitalized acute hepatitis B cases were not statistically significant. There were no differences found in the average length of stay or in the cost during the study period. The estimated total cost was 7 451 098 euros.

CONCLUSION

The rate of hospitalized acute hepatitis B patients in Spain did not change during the 2001-2006 period. Having an adequate surveillance system and continuing with the universal immunization and risk group programs, and health education, remain a high priority.