VIH, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C y VDRL en usuarios de cocaína no inyectable en Uruguay

Abstract

This is the result of research into the prevalence of antibodies of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIVab), Hepatitis C virus (HCV ab), Hepatitis B virus antiCORE (HBV ab) and Hepatitis B superficial antigen virus (HbsAg) and non-treponemal bodies using the VDRL test for Syphilis. It was carried out on non injection cocaine, crack and base paste users. Drug use practices and prevalences, sexual behaviour and sociodemographic characteristics associated with the risks of infection were also studied. This research was accomplished within the framework of a comparison with Argentina and carried out in Montevideo and its metropolitan area, in Uruguay on a sample of 367 cocaine users, over 18 years of age, and which included both sexes. The prevalence of HIV was 9.5 per cent, HBs ag 10.4 per cent, HCV ab 10.1 per cent and VDRL 4.1 per cent. The results show that the prevalence of these infections was higher than that estimated for the entire population in the case of HIV, and for all infections in comparison with the data produced by the Ministry of Public Health National Blood Service. The riskof infection rises for those with prison antecedents and those who have had sexual contacts with injecting drug users and/or HIV carriers. The results also indicate that the risk of HIV, HBV and HCV increases in line with the length of time and frequency of use. This requires the implementation of specific preventive policies, early detection, Hepatitis B vaccination and treatment.