Abstract

Background: Injecting drug use is a major route of hepatitis C virus(HCV) infection in north India especially Punjab with very high rates of substance abuse. The present study was attempted to study the prevalence of hepatitis C among the injectable drug users, which is more important in a country like India where viral hepatitis is estimated to be among the top ten causes of deaths. Methods and findings: A study was conducted in 2014-2015(FEB-FEB).The subjects included were 1162 IDUs who were opioid dependent as diagnosed by ICD-10 and confirmed for opioid in urine with help of Instant-View opiates (300) urine cassette test and IDU status was confirmed by observing injection marks on body parts. After that every patient was subjected to blood sampling for anti HCV antibodies using immunoassay technique and opioid dependent IDUs positive for anti HCV antibodies were interviewed regarding demographics, injecting and sexual behaviours. Seroprevalence of HCV was found to be 38.12 % (443 positives). Out of 443 positives about 98.6% were males, 63% were of rural background, 60% were married and 43% unemployed. Majority was between the age group of 25-30 years age (58%). Conclusion: Our study shows a high seroprevalence of HCV in IDUs. The study helps us to evaluate various aspects associated with Hepatitis C infection in Punjab. The need of the hour is to increase awareness about HCV among the public and practicing physicians.