Distribution and risk factors of hepatitis b (HBV), hepatitis c (HBC), and HIV infection in a female population with illegal social behavior

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Sexual promiscuity and intravenous drug abuse (IVDA) are well-known risk factors for HCV infection. Because of the religious culture in Iran, there are few studies carried out to evaluate these two high-risk groups. We conducted this study to survey the distribution of HCV infection as well as HBV and HIV infection in a female population with illegal social behavior. METHODS: We surveyed 196 females arrested by the police force in an analytic cross-sectional study. All individuals were asked about potential risk factors of bloodborne virus acquisition. Then all were screened for HBsAg, anti-HCV, and anti-HIV antibody. RESULTS: There was a history of prostitution in 79.0% of the females, non-IVDA in 15.3%, and IVDA in 2.0%. A total six HCV–positive cases (3.1%) and three HBsAg–positive cases (1.5%) were found. There was no HIV–positive case. HCV prevalence was significantly higher in individuals with history of non-IVDA and IVDA (p = 0.01 and p = 0.005). Out of 149 sex workers, four cases (2.7%) were HCV positive and one (0.7%) was HBsAg positive. There was no sexual contact–related variable significantly associated with HCV seropositivity in the sex worker population. CONCLUSIONS: Drug abuse seems to be a more considerable risk factor for HCV acquisition than promiscuity in Iran. Low prevalence of HCV infection among sex workers may be the reflection of the low HCV prevalence rate in general population in Iran. Sexual transmission seems not to be a common way for HBV and HIV infection acquisition in our society, yet.