Viral hepatitis C infection among injecting drug users and their partners in Manipur

Abstract

Background: People who inject drugs (PWID) are the key population at risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In this study, HCV infection among PWID was carried out with the objective of determining the proportion of hepatitis C antibody-positive individuals in the state of Manipur, in Manipur, a small northeastern state of India. Aims: The present study aims to establish prevalence data of hepatitis C antibody among population in the state of Manipur, India. The study was conducted from July to December 2018 in the nine districts of state of Manipur. Blood samples were collected for HCV testing; along with this, we conducted awareness sessions during camps. Pre- and post-tests were done using a questionnaire. A total of 2219 participants are PWID and their spouses were enrolled. Results: Male: female ratio was 1885/334. Majorities of the participants were from 25 to 44 years of age. Forty-three per cent were positive in the screening. Ukhrul district has the highest HCV positive closely followed by Churachandpur district. About 13.5% of participants with known human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status were positive of HCV. Conclusions: HCV infection in PWID in Manipur, Northeast of India, is 43%, most of them are young and co-infection with HIV is seen in 13.5%.