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The status of hepatitis C virus infection among people who inject drugs in the Middle East and North Africa.

Sarwat MahmudGhina R MumtazHiam ChemaitellyZaina Al KanaaniSilva P KouyoumjianJoumana G HermezLaith Jamal Abu-Raddad
Published in: Addiction (Abingdon, England) (2020)
Half of people who inject drugs in the Middle East and North Africa appear to have ever been infected with hepatitis C virus, but there are large variations in antibody prevalence among countries. In addition to > 200 000 chronically infected current people who inject drugs, there is an unknown number of people who no longer inject drugs who may have acquired hepatitis C virus during past injecting drug use. Harm reduction services must be expanded, and innovative strategies need to be employed to ensure accessibility to hepatitis C virus testing and treatment.
Keyphrases
  • hepatitis c virus
  • human immunodeficiency virus
  • hepatitis c virus infection
  • healthcare
  • tertiary care
  • primary care
  • risk factors
  • mental health
  • combination therapy
  • drug induced
  • smoking cessation