A national cross-sectional study among drug-users in France: epidemiology of HCV and highlight on practical and statistical aspects of the design.

Background: Epidemiology of HCV infection among drug users (DUs) has been widely studied. Prevalence and sociobehavioural data among DUs are therefore available in most countries but no study has taken into account in the sampling weights one important aspect of the way of life of DUs, namely that they can use one or more specialized services during the study period. In 2004-2005, we conducted a national seroepidemiologic survey of DUs, based on a random sampling design using the Generalised Weight Share Method (GWSM) and on blood testing.

[Management of 90 patients presenting with suspected severe acute respiratory syndrome. Experience of a collaboration between epidemiologists and clinicians facing an emerging infectious disease health alert].

Objective: The characteristics of patients with a suspected SARS hospitalized in a Paris hospital were studied to analyze the hypothetic differences between epidemiologic and clinical teams in the management of an epidemic emerging disease, and to gather experience for the management of the next outbreak.

Study Design: All 90 patients hospitalized between March 16 and April 30, 2003, were included. Epidemiological and clinical data were shared with the French National Institute for Health.

[Limited impact of the harm-reduction policy on HCV among drug-users. The ANRS-Coquelicot survey example].

Background: In France, a harm-reduction policy was implemented in the late 1980s with the aim of reducing the prevalence of HIV and hepatitis C virus infection among drug users. The ANRS-Coquelicot survey was designed to measure the prevalence of HIV and HCV infection among drug users, and to examine determinants of at-risk behaviors.

Methods: In 2002, information was collected from 166 drug users recruited in all types of services specializing in drug use and harm reduction in Marseille, France.

[Incidence and risk factors of HCV infection in a cohort of intravenous drug users in the North and East of France].

Background: In order to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of infection by hepatitis C virus (HCV) among intravenous drug users we conducted a prospective cohort study of HCV and HIV negative IVDU in the North and East of France.

Methods: Two hundred and thirty-one IVDU who had injected drug at least once in their lifetime and were negative for anti-HCV and anti-HIV were followed-up every three months over a 12-month period. Serum anti-HCV and anti-HIV antibodies were tested at inclusion in the study and at the end of the follow-up.