Prevalence of HIV, HCV, HBV, and syphilis infection among Egyptian drug users: Cairo University hospitals'…

StudyArab journal of gastroenterology : the official publication of the Pan-Arab Association of Gastroenterology· Jul 2026

Prevalence of HIV, HCV, HBV, and syphilis infection among Egyptian drug users: Cairo University hospitals' experience.

Ahmed Cordie, Rahma Mohamed, Dalia Enaba … Husam Salah Mourad

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Addiction MedicineStudyClinical practiceQ3IF 1.2

Hepatitis C virus infected 8% of Egyptian drug users screened.

Prevalence of HIV, HCV, HBV, and syphilis infection among Egyptian drug users: Cairo University hospitals' experience.

Ahmed Cordie … Husam Salah Mourad

Arab journal of gastroenterology · Jul 2026

Background

An integrated screening program with fast-track access to care for human immunodeficiency virus (human immunodeficiency virus), hepatitis C virus (hepatitis C virus), hepatitis B virus (hepatitis B virus), and Syphilis were implemented in substance use treatment clinic at Cairo University hospitals, Egypt.

Purpose

This study aimed to assess seroprevalence rates of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and Syphilis among drug users and evaluate their awareness and uptake of prevention and testing services.

Methods

A total of 2545 drug users were screened for human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C virus, Treponema pallidum (treponema pallidum) antibodies, and surface antigen of hepatitis B virus (HBsAg) between September 2022 and January 2024.

n = 2545 drug users

Results

8 in 100 drug users tested positive for hepatitis C

HIV

4.4%

HCV

8%

HBsAg

1.34%

Syphilis

0.1%

More results

Among the 1066 drug users interviewed regarding their awareness and uptake of prevention and testing services, only 10 (1%) participants were tested for hepatitis C virus during the previous nationwide screening campaign; three of them tested positive and two received treatment.

More results

Five (0.5%) participants were previously tested for human immunodeficiency virus and were negative.

Only 3 (0.3%) participants had heard of Pre-exposure prophylaxis (pre-exposure prophylaxis), while 5 (0.5%) received an hepatitis B virus vaccination.

No participants have ever received free condoms, clean needles or methadone maintenance therapy.

“

Conclusion

Our findings indicate the need for improved testing, treatment, and prevention services directed to drug users, coupled with focused awareness efforts to increase access to these services.

Prevalence of HIV, HCV, HBV, and syphilis infection among Egyptian drug users: Cairo University hospitals' experience.

Prevalence of HIV, HCV, HBV, and syphilis infection among Egyptian drug users: Cairo University hospitals' experience.

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