Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B, C and HIV/AIDS in Asylum Seekers in Istanbul

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine prevalence of hepatitis B, C and HIV/AIDS in asylum seekers in Istanbul, Turkey. Methods: The data about asylum seekers who applied in Istanbul between March 2008 and March 2010 were evaluated retrospectively. Demographic features and markers of blood borne infections (HBsAg, anti-HCV and anti-HIV results) of asylum seekers were reviewed. Results: In total 3043 asylum seekers were included into the study. The leading origin countries of the refugees were from Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan and majority of them (2328 people, 77%) were male. The young adults between 25 and 45 years constituted the most crowded group. Overall prevalence of HCV, HBsAg and HIV/AIDS were 12.2%, 5.9% and 0.7%, respectively. The highest seropositivity rate for anti-HCV, HBsAg and anti-HIV were found in Georgian males (47.1%); in Moldovan males (13.2%) and in Somali males (3.1%), respectively. Conclusion: Mostly asylum seekers who have migrated to our country were young adult males from Asia. The highest prevalence rate of HCV was found in Georgian males. Therefore, the increased potential of migration to our country along the recent years necessitates development of an appropriate health approach concerning asylum seekers.

Keywords

• Asylum seeker, refugee, infection, prevalence

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B, C and HIV/AIDS in Asylum Seekers in Istanbul

Öz

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı İstanbul’da bulunan sığınmacıların hepatit B, C ve HIV/AIDS prevalansının belirlenmesidir.Yöntemler: Mart 2008-Mart 2010 arasındaki iki yıllık dönemde İstanbul’da sığınma talebinde bulunan yabancıların verileri geriye doğru değerlendirildi kanla bulaşan enfeksiyonlar tarama verileri retrospektif olarak değerlendirildi. Değerlendirmede sığınmacıların demografik özellikleri ve kanla bulaşan enfeksiyon göstergeleri (HBsAg, anti HCV ve anti HIV testleri) gözden geçirildi. Bulgular: Toplam olarak 3043 sığınmacı çalışmaya dahil edildi. Sığınmacılar en sık Afganistan, Türkmenistan ve Azerbaycan’dan kökenliydi ve çoğunluğu erkekti (2328 kişi, % 77). En kalabalık yaş grubu 25-45 yaş arası ile genç erişkin gruptu. Tüm sığınmacılar içinde anti HCV sıklığı % 12,2, HBsAg % 5,9 ve anti HIV % 0,7 olarak saptandı. Anti-HCV, HBsAg ve anti-HIV için en yüksek seropozitiflik oranları sırasıyla Gürcistanlı (% 47,1), Moldovalı (% 13,2) ve Somalili (% 3,1) erkeklerde saptandı.Sonuç: Ülkemize sıklıkla Asya kıtasından göç eden sığınmacıların çoğu genç erişkin erkeklerdir. Anti-HCV Gürcistanlı; HBsAg Moldovyalı ve anti-HIV ise Somalili erkek sığınmacılar arasında en yüksek sıklıktadır. Ülkemiz son yıllarda artan sayıda göç aldığından, sığınmacılar ve mültecilerle ilgili uygun sağlık yaklaşımlarına ihtiyaç vardır

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Sığınmacı, mülteci, infeksiyon, prevalans

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