Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus in three groups of populations at high risk of HIV infection in Amritsar (Punjab), Northern India

Abstract

Three groups of populations at high risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, i.e., injecting drug users (IDUs), truckers, and attendees of sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic of Amritsar (Punjab), Northern India, were studied in order to determine the prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. Of the 157 IDUs, 16.6, 17.8, and 33.7% were found to be positive for HIV, HBV, and HCV infections, respectively. HCV showed significant difference (P<0.01) and very high rate (8.3%) of co-infection with HIV. In truckers, maximum seropositivity was associated with HIV (19%), i.e., significantly higher than that of HBV (6%, P<0.01) and HCV (3%, P<0.01). In STD clinic attendees, the highest rate of seroprevalence was that of HIV (4.3%), followed closely by that of HBV (3.7%), and HCV (2.6%). The present study emphasizes the need for early screening for HBV and HCV infections of all those also at high risk for HIV infection, and the results highlight the importance of relevant targeted interventions in these populations.