HIV and hepatitis B surveillance in First Nations alcohol and drug treatment centres in British Columbia, Canada, 1992–2000

Abstract

We provide ongoing HIV and Hepatitis B surveillance in residential First Nations alcohol and drug treatment centres in British Columbia, Canada. All clients entering the centres are offered confidential viral testing as part of an education program on sexually transmitted diseases. Participation is voluntary and approximately two thirds of clients choose to be tested. Information about risk factors for communicable disease and immunization status is not recorded. The testing program began in January 1992. As of September 2000, 2,345 people have been tested for HIV. Nine tested positive, giving a prevalence of 3.8 per 1,000 (95% confidence interval: 1.3 to 6.3 per 1,000), lower than among all British Columbians who choose to be tested (8.5 per 1,000). Also, 2,166 people were tested for hepatitis B surface antibody, 23% of these were positive, 10% were positive for hepatitis B core antibody (indicating prior infection with hepatitis B). Seven clients (3.2 per 1,000; 95% Cl: 0.8 to 5.6 per 1,000) were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen and are therefore presumed to be chronically infected. The prevalence of hepatitis B markers was intermediate between what has previously been found in high risk groups and that found in the general population.