Background: The authors report on the prevalence of, and risk factors for, hepatitis A virus (HAV) in a group of drug users in Italy.
Methods: 404 heroin users were recruited and compared with a control group of 107 subjects in the general population.
Results: Drug users born in north-eastern Italy have a prevalence of anti-HAV similar to the control group. A much higher prevalence was found in drug users born in southern Italy.
Conclusion: The similar prevalence of anti-HAV in drug users born in north-eastern Italy and in the general population, suggests that their lifestyle does not involve a substantial additional risk of HAV. The much higher prevalence found in drug users born in southern Italy is more likely to be related to infection during infancy.
Prevalence of hepatitis A among drug users in north-eastern Italy. Is vaccination necessary in low prevalence areas?
[Category]
[Article Type] Comparative Study
[Source] pubmed
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