Int Conf AIDS. 1998;12:1018 (abstract no. 60099). Unique Identifier :

OBJECTIVES: HIV/AIDS records indicate, that now no intravenous drug users (ivdu) were found in Hungary. The National Statistical Data Collection Program's Report on the treatment of drug addicts indicate that the number of those in treatment doubled between 1994 and 1996, the rate of opiate (heroin) users is one of the increase, as well, as the rate of injecting drug users (in 1996 it was 998). However this figure is far from those of other countries with more serious drug problems, the trends are worrying. Therefore the Interministrial Drug Committee and the National AIDS Committee of Hungary decided to set up a joint program on sentinel surveillance among at risk populations. A total number of 4233 drug users were treated in 164 different treatment settings throughout Hungary, and 935 of them was reported as intravenous drug user, the target population of our investigation was the above risk group of VDU's. METHODS: We informed all of those who treat ivdu's and 40 treatment places (from different regions of the country) participated in this voluntary testing program. More than 400 saliva collection device from SDS (Saliva Diagnostic Systems) were disseminated. This is good to avoid the needle-caused injury of the vein. RESULTS: During 1997 145 saliva samples and 180 blood samples were sent to the laboratory for HIV, HBsAg and HCV investigation, both from saliva and blood. 0/145 HIV+; 0/145 HBsAg+; and 22/145 HCV+ (16%) results were found from the saliva samples. 0/180 HIV+; 5/180 HBsAg+ (2.7%) 3/180 HBsAg indeterminate (1.6%) and 28/180 HCV+ (16%) results were found from blood samples. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate, that no HIV infection was found among the 32% of the target population. The prevalence of HCV infection in the investigated population was 16%, significantly less, than in majority of Central-European and EU member countries (where the HCV infection among ivdu's is rather high, in some cases between 50-75%. From this conclusion can be drawn: needle sharing seems to be on a low level, which is indicated also by incidental information coming from physicians.

MEETING ABSTRACTS Comorbidity Cross-Sectional Studies Hepatitis B/*EPIDEMIOLOGY Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/ANALYSIS Hepatitis C/*EPIDEMIOLOGY Human Hungary HIV Infections/*EPIDEMIOLOGY Incidence Substance Abuse, Intravenous/*EPIDEMIOLOGY