Abstract
Background: This study investigated the prevalence for hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis E virus (HEV), herpes simplex
virus type 2 (HSV2) and syphilis among homeless in the city of Tehran.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 596 homeless were recruited in Tehran. A researcher-designed questionnaire was
used to study demographic data. Using enzyme-linked immunoassay, and rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test, we evaluated
the seroprevalence of HAV anti-body, HEV IgG, herpes, HSV2 IgG, and syphilis among sheltered homeless in Tehran.
The associations between the participant’s characteristics and infections were evaluated using logistic regression and
chi-square.
Results: A total of 569 homeless, 78 women (13.7%) and 491 men (86.3%) were enrolled into the study from June to
August 2012. Their age mean was 42 years and meantime of being homeless was 24 months. Seroprevalence of syphilis,
HEV IgG, HSV2 IgG and HAV Ab was 0.55%, 24.37%, 16.48%, and 94.34%, respectively. History of drug abuse was
reported in 77.70%; 46.01% of them were using a drug during the study and 26.87% of them had history of intravenous
drug abuse. Among people who had intravenous drug abuse, 48.25% had history of syringe sharing.
Conclusion: The prevalence of HAV, HEV and HSV2 were higher than the general population while low prevalence of
syphilis was seen among homeless peoples who are at high risk of sexually transmitted infection (STD). Our findings
highlighted that significant healthcare needs of sheltered homeless people in Tehran are unmet and much more attention
needs to be paid for the health of homeless people