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Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is very common in people who inject drugs (PWID). Studies about the prevalence and genotype distribution of the HCV among PWID are very crucial for developing strategies to manage HCV infection. This study's objective is to map the distribution of HCV genotypes among PWID from various regions of Turkey. Method: This prospective, multicenter, cross-sectional study involved 197 PWID who tested positive for anti-HCV antibodies from 4 different addiction treatment facilities in Turkey. Interviews were done with people who had anti-HCV antibodies, and blood samples were taken to check the HCV RNA viremia load and genotyping. Results: This study was conducted on 197 individuals with a mean age of 30.3 ± 8.6 years. 9.1% (136/197 patients) had a detectable HCV-RNA viral load. Genotype 3 was the most commonly observed genotype by 44.1%, followed by genotype 1a by 41.9%, genotype 2 by 5.1%, genotype 4 by 4.4%, and genotype 1b by 4.4%. Whereas genotype 3 was dominant with 44.4% at the central Anatolia region of Turkey, the frequencies of genotypes 1a and 3, which were predominantly detected in the south and northwest regions of Turkey, were very close to each other. Conclusion: Although genotype 3 is the predominant genotype in the PWID population in Turkey, the prevalence of HCV genotype varied across the country. To eliminate HCV infection in the PWID, treatment and screening strategies that differ by genotype are essentially required. Especially identification of genotypes will be useful in developing individualized treatments and determining national prevention strategies.
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OBJECTIVE: To estimate suicidal ideation among schizophrenic patients and compare sociodemographic and clinical properties. METHOD: Sixty patients schizophrenic according to DSM-IV criteria were included in the study. Half the patients were in the acute phase and were inpatients, while the other half were in the stable phase and were outpatients. A semistructured sociodemographic form, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS) and Schedule for Assessing the Three Components of Insight were used. RESULTS: Suicidal ideations were found in 12 (20%) patients. The proportion having relationship problems, having attempted suicide in the past, and in the acute phase was higher in the group with suicidal ideations than in the group without suicidal ideations. The mean number of suicide attempts was also higher in the group with suicide ideations. The depression score measured by CDSS was higher in the group with suicidal ideations, while there were no relationships between the scores of positive and negative symptoms, and the degree of insight and suicidal thoughts. CONCLUSION: The high rate of suicidal ideation in our sample suggests that, when planning treatment and follow-up for these patients, the risk of suicide has to be determined and protective measures have to be taken. It suggests that determining depression routinely with scales that can be used easily, like CDSS, can be useful for these patients.