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Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique logoLink to Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique
. 2002 Mar 1;93(2):123–128. doi: 10.1007/BF03404552

Viral Hepatitis in a Canadian Street-involved Population

S Moses 110,210, K Mestery 110, K D E Kaita 310, G Y Minuk 310,✉
PMCID: PMC6979664  PMID: 11963516

Abstract

Background: Data on the prevalence and compliance with management of viral hepatitis in the street-involved population are limited.

Method: Hepatitis A (HAV), B (HBV) and C (HCV) serology and compliance with HBV vaccination were documented in 533 street-involved individuals.

Results: The mean age of the study population was 25.7 years (range: 11–65) and 53% were female. Serologic evidence of HAV infection was present in 53%; HBV, 12% (3% ongoing infection); and HCV, 17%. HAV infections were associated with Aboriginal/Metis ethnicity and age over 25 years; HBV with injection drug use (IDU); and HCV with IDU, sex trade work and age over 25 years. Compliance with three-step HBV vaccination was 98%, 77% and 63%.

Conclusions: HAV, HBV and HCV are common infections in urban street-involved persons. Successful HBV (and presumably HAV) vaccination can be achieved in the majority of this population, but concerns exist regarding compliance with more long-term, parenterally-based antiviral therapies.

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