Vulnerability of homeless people in Tehran, Iran, to HIV, tuberculosis and viral hepatitis.
PLoS One
; 9(6): e98742, 2014.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-24896247
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Homeless people are at risk of contracting communicable infectious diseases, as they indulge in risky behaviours and lifestyle. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of the aforementioned infections and related risk behaviours among homeless people in Tehran.METHODS:
In this study a convenience sample of 593 homeless individuals was studied. The ELISA method was used for the detection of HIV, HCV and HBV. Clinical symptoms, sputum cultures, acid fast bacilli smears, and chest X-rays were used to identify active pulmonary tuberculosis, and the Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) test was used to identify latent tuberculosis.RESULTS:
The prevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV and latent tuberculosis was 3.4%, 2.6%, 23.3% and 46.7%, respectively. Active pulmonary tuberculosis was found in 7 persons (1.2%). Injection drug use was an independent risk factor for HIV, HCV and HBV infections. Older people had a higher proportion of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (OR 2.6, 95%CI 1.9, 3.7) and HCV positivity (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1, 2.5).CONCLUSION:
Our findings highlighted that much more attention needs to be paid to the health of homeless people.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Tuberculose
/
Pessoas Mal Alojadas
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Infecções por HIV
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Hepatite Viral Humana
Tipo de estudo:
Clinical_trials
/
Etiology_studies
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Prevalence_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Adult
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
País como assunto:
Asia
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2014
Tipo de documento:
Article