Hepatitis C was shown to be a major risk for women using heroin in a study carried out at the Merchants Quay drug centre, writes Christine Newman.
The research investigating the health status of women using drugs showed that 14 of 15 women tested had Hep C antibodies in their bloodstream, a key indicator of Hep C infection. Three women had an abnormality in liver function, possibly indicative of chronic hepatitis.
A total of 17 women took part in the research.
Results indicated that more than two-thirds of the women in the study were homeless, and most had reported having experienced a wide range of physical and psychological health problems.
These included asthma and anaemia and an above-average rate of abdominal abnormalities.
Psychological problems experienced included depression, anxiety and social isolation.
Just under a quarter of those surveyed had been hospitalised because of an attempted suicide, the study showed.
Almost a third said they had experienced difficulty in accessing treatment in the past.
While most were registered with a GP, fewer than half found that the GP was geographically accessible, and almost a quarter said their medical card was out of date, the study found.
The director of Merchants Quay Ireland, Mr Tony Geoghegan, said Hepatitis C infection among drug-users was one of the most serious issues facing society.
He called on the Government to establish public education programmes for drug-users, more extensive needle-exchange services and the provision of safe injecting facilities for the homeless.
The research is one of six reports addressing homelessness and drug use in Ireland brought together in a book of research called Pieces of the Jigsaw, to be published today.
Protective notice to 650 is lifted
Protective notice issued to 650 staff at Independent Newspapers has been lifted after a dispute over rosters at its Citywest printing plant was resolved for the time being.
A strike by fitters, members of the Technical, Electrical and Engineering Union, had been scheduled to begin tomorrow.
The strike threat was rescinded, however, after the company agreed not to impose new rosters until an inter-union dispute at the plant is dealt with by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
Both the TEEU and another union, Amicus, claim the right to represent the fitters. An ICTU decision on the matter is expected shortly.
Saville contempt case at hearing
A journalist who faced jail for alleged contempt of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry was in the High Court in Belfast yesterday to hear lawyers argue over how the proceedings against him should be brought to an end.
Toby Harnden, the Daily Telegraph's former Ireland correspondent, flew in from Jerusalem where he is based as the paper's Middle East correspondent.
He was ruled in contempt of the inquiry after refusing to identify a soldier he interviewed and give a full account of what the soldier told him.
The inquiry chairman, Lord Saville, referred the matter to the High Court for certification, but no action was taken after the Appeal Court upheld Mr Justice Coghlin's ruling that the proceedings were criminal in nature rather than civil.
In February Mr Harnden's solicitor was informed by letter from the assistant solicitor to the inquiry that it was proposed to "terminate the High Court proceedings by serving formal notice of discontinuance".
Mr Justice Coghlin adjourned the hearing until May 13th for further argument.