An Overview of HIV, HBV, and HCV Infections among Tattooed People in Cimahi

Abstract

Cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections are rising in Cimahi; where 100 HIV infections were identified in 2015 and 2016. Although Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection rate in Cimahi is not the highest in Indonesia, they posess a prevalence rate of 0.2%. HIV, HBV, and HCV can be transmitted through pregnancy, sexual interaction, blood transfusion, drug use, and tattooing. This study aims to determine the overview of HIV, HBV, and HCV infections of tattooed people in Cimahi. Here, serum from 30 tattooed people in Cimahi were taken. These people met criterias as follows; having a permanent tattoo, not are not injection drug user, never having a free sexual interaction, never having a blood transfusion, and filled an informed consent. Presence of anti-HIV, HBsAg, and anti-HCV was detected by immunochromatography. All testing steps was done in accordance with Regulation of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia Number 15 Year 2015 on HIV and Opportunistic Infection Testing Laboratory Services. Among the 30 tattooed people (16.7% female, 83.3% male, age range: 17 to 48 years old), 2 persons (6.7%) tested positive for HIV, 2 persons (6.7%) tested positive for HBV, and 1 person (3.3%) tested positive for HCV.