Prevalence of HAV Ab, HEV (IgG), HSV۲ IgG, and Syphilis Among Sheltered Homeless Adults in Tehran, ۲۰۱۲

Background This study investigated the prevalence for hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis E virus (HEV), herpes simplex virus type ۲ (HSV۲) and syphilis among homeless in the city of Tehran.   Methods In this cross-sectional study, ۵۹۶ homeless were recruited in Tehran. A researcher-designed questionnaire was used to study demographic data. Using enzyme-linked immunoassay, and rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test, we evaluated the seroprevalence of HAV anti-body, HEV IgG, herpes, HSV۲ IgG, and syphilis among sheltered homeless in Tehran. The associations between the participant’s characteristics and infections were evaluated using logistic regression and chi-square.   Results A total of ۵۶۹ homeless, ۷۸ women (۱۳.۷%) and ۴۹۱ men (۸۶.۳%) were enrolled into the study from June to August ۲۰۱۲. Their age mean was ۴۲ years and meantime of being homeless was ۲۴ months. Seroprevalence of syphilis, HEV IgG, HSV۲ IgG and HAV Ab was ۰.۵۵%, ۲۴.۳۷%, ۱۶.۴۸%, and ۹۴.۳۴%, respectively. History of drug abuse was reported in ۷۷.۷۰%; ۴۶.۰۱% of them were using a drug during the study and ۲۶.۸۷% of them had history of intravenous drug abuse. Among people who had intravenous drug abuse, ۴۸.۲۵% had history of syringe sharing.   Conclusion The prevalence of HAV, HEV and HSV۲ were higher than the general population while low prevalence of syphilis was seen among homeless peoples who are at high risk of sexually transmitted infection (STD). Our findings highlighted that significant healthcare needs of sheltered homeless people in Tehran are unmet and much more attention needs to be paid for the health of homeless people.

کلیدواژه ها:

Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) ، Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) ، Herpes Simplex Virus Type ۲ (HSV۲) ، Syphilis ، Homeless ، Iran