Rapid spread of hepatitis C and needle exchange programme in Kolkata, India
Sarkar, K.; Mitra, S.; Bal, B.; Chakraborty, S.; Bhattacharya, S.K.
Lancet 361(9365): 1301-1302
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0140-6736 PMID: 12699985 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(03)13006-1Document Number: 246549
Weekly surveillance of IDUs in Kolkata, India was initiated to monitor their risk behaviour and to assess the effect of Kolkata's needle and syringe exchange programme on infection among IDUs. Of 102 IDUs assessed in January 2003, eighty-two (80%) were infected with hepatitis C virus. The prevalence of HIV-1 infection and hepatitis B had not changed since 2002; prevalence was 2% and 18%, respectively. Weekly surveillance data showed that of 140 IDUs, 112 (80%) injected drugs about twice a day. Most IDUs did not share their syringes and needles, only 7 (5%) shared equipment with others. However, about 50% or more of the study participants shared drugs from the same ampoules.
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