In:
The Journal of Infectious Diseases, Oxford University Press (OUP), Vol. 220, No. 3 ( 2019-07-02), p. 377-385
Abstract:
Historically, older people who inject drugs (PWID) have had the highest hepatitis C virus (HCV) burden; however, young PWID now account for recent increases. We assessed factors associated with past or present HCV infection (HCV antibody [anti-HCV] positive) among young (≤35 years) and older ( 〉 35 years) PWID. Methods We calculated adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to examine sociodemographic and past 12-month injection behaviors associated with HCV infection. Results Of 4094 PWID, 55.2% were anti-HCV positive. Among young PWID, anti-HCV prevalence was 42.1% and associated with ≤high school diploma/General Education Development diploma (GED) (aPR, 1.17 [95% CI, 1.03–1.33]), receptive syringe sharing (aPR, 1.37 [95% CI, 1.21–1.56] ), sharing injection equipment (aPR, 1.16 [95% CI, 1.01–1.35]), arrest history (aPR, 1.14 [95% CI, 1.02–1.29] ), and injecting speedball (aPR, 1.37 [95% CI, 1.16–1.61]). Among older PWID, anti-HCV prevalence was 62.2% and associated with ≤high school diploma/GED (aPR, 1.08 [95% CI, 1.02–1.15] ), sharing injection equipment (aPR, 1.08 [95% CI, 1.02–1.15]), high injection frequency (aPR, 1.16 [95% CI, 1.01–1.34] ), and injecting speedball (aPR, 1.09 [95% CI, 1.01–1.16]). Conclusions Anti-HCV prevalence is high among PWID and varies with age. Scaling up direct-acting antiviral treatment, syringe service programs, and medication-assisted therapy is critical to mitigating transmission risk and infection burden.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0022-1899
,
1537-6613
DOI:
10.1093/infdis/jiz142
Language:
English
Publisher:
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Publication Date:
2019
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1473843-0
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