Prevalence of hepatitis B, tetanus, hepatitis A, human immunodeficiency virus and feasibility of vaccine delivery among injecting drug users in Bangkok, Thailand, 2003–2005

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV), tetanus, hepatitis A virus (HAV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in injecting drug users (IDUs), risk factors associated with infection and the feasibility of HBV vaccine delivery in HBV seronegatives. METHODS: Cross-sectional seroprevalence survey of 1535 IDUs recruited from 17 Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) methadone clinics and HBV vaccination of seronegatives. RESULTS: Prevalence of antibody to HBV, tetanus, HAV and HIV was 87.8%, 68.1%, 60.2% and 35.9%, respectively. Prevalence of HBV and HAV increased with increasing age; prevalence of tetanus decreased with increasing age. Being HIV seropositive was related inversely to income and being tetanus seronegative. Of the 189 HBV seronegative IDUs, 81.0% completed the vaccine series. IDUs with HIV had a 6.5-fold odds of vaccine non-response. CONCLUSIONS: These data underscore the need for, and feasibility of, vaccine delivery in this population and support targeting efforts at high-risk age groups.