Prevalence of HIV infection, syphilis and hepatitis C and related risk factors in drug users in Wuhan, 2009–2016

ObjectiveTo understand the prevalence of HIV infection, syphilis and hepatitis C and related risk factors in drug users under sentinel surveillance in Wuhan during 2009–2016 and provide evidence for the improvement of HIV infection, syphilis and hepatitis C surveillance and behavior intervention in this population.

MethodsA consecutive cross-sectional survey with uniformed questionnaire was conducted in drug uses selected in custody facilities and communities as well as urine morphine positive persons who visiting methadone maintenance treatment clinics in last month during the annual sentinel surveillance between April and June, and basic demographic information and blood samples were collected from them.

ResultsA total of 6 408 drug users were included in the analysis. The prevalence rates of HIV infection, syphilis and hepatitis were 0.73% (low), 5.07% and 54.35% (high), respectively. The prevalence differed in drug users with different demographic characteristics. Multivariate analysis indicated that HIV infection related risk factors included living in other provinces originally (OR＝4.183, 95%CI: 1.670–10.476, P＝0.002), other ethnic group (OR＝7.754, 95%CI: 2.537–23.703, P＝0.000), syringe sharing (OR＝5.908, 95%CI: 2.906–12.009, P＝0.000) and being drug user in custody facility (OR＝2.468, 95%CI: 1.054–5.783, P＝0.038). Syphilis infection related risk factors included being female (OR＝2.705, 95%CI: 2.116–3.457, P＝0.000), injecting drug use (OR＝1.567, 95%CI: 1.133–2.165, P＝0.007) and being drug user in community (OR＝3.000, 95%CI: 2.265–3.973, P＝0.000). Hepatitis C virus infection related risk factors included being female (OR＝1.135, 95%CI: 1.151–1.583, P＝0.000), living in Hubei province (OR＝1.439, 95%CI: 1.208–1.713, P＝0.000), being traditional drug user or mixed drug user (OR＝3.643, 95%CI: 2.975–4.462, P＝0.000; OR＝3.454, 95%CI: 2.616–4.561, P＝0.000), injecting drug use (OR＝4.381, 95%CI: 3.777–5.082, P＝0.000) and being drug user in custody facility (OR＝2.075, 95%CI: 1.809–2.381, P＝0.000).

ConclusionThe hepatitis C virus infection rate in drug users was high in Wuhan, and the proportion of new type drug users was in increase. It is necessary to continue the improvement of methadone maintenance treatment and further investigate the prevalence of HIV infection, syphilis and hepatitis C and influencing factors in drug users.