Prevalence of hepatitis C and G virus infections among intravenous drug users in Slovenia and Croatia

The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis G virus (HGV) infec tions was assessed in 115 Slovenian and 102 Croatian intravenous drug users (IVDUs). HCV and HGV infections were detected in 60 (52.2%) and 61 (53.0%) Slovenian IVDUs and in 70 (68.6%) and 39 (38.2%) Croatian IVDUs, respectiv ely. The established prevalence of both HCV and HGV infection in Croatian I VDUs are the lowest found to date among IVDUs, HCV positive Slovenian and C roatian IVDUs were significantly older and reported longer duration of the intravenous drug use in comparison with HCV negative IVDUs, In contrast, no significant differences in both parameters were found among HGV-positive a nd -negative IVDUs.