Prevalence and Effect Factors of HBV Among Injection Drug Users in Kermanshah, Iran in 2016

Background and Objectives: The prevalence of HBV infection among injection drug users (IDUs) is higher than the general population due to high-risk sexual behaviors and the needle sharing. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HBV infection and its effective factors among IDUs of Kermanshah Province in 2016.   Methods: This ia descriptive-analytic study was performed in 606 male IDUs in Kermanshah Province in 2016. Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews. HBV was also evaluated through blood tests using the rapid test. Simple and multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied to investigate the factors affecting HBV infection. Data were analyzed using STATA-12 software.   Results: The prevalence of positivity HBV antibody was 3% (95% CI: 1.61- 4.32) among male IDUs. According to the results of unit-variable logistic regression analysis, the duration of drug injection (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02-1.15) and the number of daily injections (OR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.05-1.81) were risk factors for HBsAg positivity but there were no significant associations in the multivariate regression model.   Conclusion: The prevalence of HBV is much higher among IDUs than in the general population. These populations are at risk for viral infections such as HBV; therefore, it is recommended to provide necessary education about the prevention methods as well as the necessary screening for them.