the frequency of hbv and hiv among injection drug users in shahre-kord, iran

background : drug injection is one of the most significant risk factors for viral hepatitis and human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) infection. the present study was performed to evaluate the frequency of hepatitis b (hbv) and hiv infection in idus and to identify the risk factors of these infections in this group in a central city of iran, shahre-kord. methods : this study was conducted in 2004 with a study population of 133 intravenous drug users (idus) in a voluntary drug treatment center. information on demographics, hbv, and hiv-related risk behaviors were obtained through an interviewer-assisted questionnaire. idus serum samples were screened for hbv and hiv infection using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (elisa). all hiv positive samples were confirmed by western blotting. results : of the 133 idus, 1 (0.75%) was hiv+ and 8 (6.2%) were hepatitis b surface antigen positive (hbsag+). the mean age of hbv infected idus was 31.13 years. the prevalence of hbv infection was more than that of the hiv infection. using chi-square test it was found that there was significant correlation between using shared syringe and infection with both hiv and hbv. conclusion : this is the first prevalence study of hbv and hiv infection among idus in shahre-kord. we concluded that drug users had an elevated prevalence of hbv and hiv infection. drug injection is the most important risk factor associated with blood-borne viral and particularly hiv and hbv infections.