Seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus, Hepatitis B surface antigen, and Hepatitis C in substance dependents admitted in a tertiary hospital at Amritsar, India

Substance dependents often seek help for deaddiction and are detected positive during routine viral markers testing. We screened such patients in our hospital ShriGuru RamDas Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (SGRDIMSR) which is situated in a rural area adjoining the city of Amritsar; being a tertiary care centre it caters to a large population. A total of 1382 patients were admitted to the psychiatry ward from 01 July 2009 to 31 December 2012 and screened for study, out of whom 4.63% (n = 64) refused to consent for participation in the study. Out of 1318 screened participants, 85.96% (n = 1133) had opioid dependence, followed by tobacco (61.68%), alcohol (23.97%), cannabis (0.04%), and other substances (0.01%) including benzodiazepine, inhalants, etc. Out of 118 seropositive injection drug users (IDUs), 66.10% (n = 78) patients were Hepatitis C positive, 15.25% (n = 18) were detected as HIV reactive and 5.08% (n = 6) patients were found to be HBsAg positive. This is significant as HCV is mostly overlooked in government health policies and overshadowed by HIV. Our study also emphasises the need for HCV screening along with HIV in various health programmes. Our study is important as it may help in reviewing health policies as HIV infection among IDUs is highest (30.40%) in this part of the country as per data by UNAIDS (National AIDS Control Organisation, 2010) and there is no comprehensive policy for Hepatitis B and C like that of HIV.