Talking About Hepatitis C: FAQs From Young Adults Who Inject Drugs

Abstract

These FAQs address important gaps in HCV knowledge among young adults who are at high risk for infection. The FAQs also highlight the importance of risk reduction counseling provided by frontline public health providers as well as access to safe and effective HCV treatments for young adults who inject drugs.

Young people with AOD issues and at least one other comorbidity or complex health issue and health service use: A brief literature review 2016–2021

“…14 Youth with substance use disorders (SUD) and comorbidities and/or complex health needs Concurrent SUD and mental health issues are associated with poor health outcomes such as sexually transmitted infections, incarceration, violence, and homelessness. 6 Other adverse outcomes include relationship difficulties, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicide risk/ideation/attempts, poor academic performance, and significant psychological distress. 5 Emerging evidence suggests that integrated treatments that address the complex needs of youth with SUD have been successful.…”

“…1,2 These may include significant alcohol and other drug (AOD) use; suspected or diagnosed mental health conditions (eg, anxiety or depressive symptoms, personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder); previous child abuse or trauma; suicidal ideation or attempts; comorbid physical health problems; self-harm; family violence and/or dysfunction; comorbid intellectual or neurological conditions; youth justice involvement; homelessness or housing relating stress; financial instability including work; and eating disorders. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] The first point of contact for youth seeking help within the healthcare system is usually with a general practitioner (GP). 1,2 Several challenges exist in addressing the health needs of youth who present with complex health issues, requiring multidisciplinary care.…”

“…1,8,9,12,13 Facilitators to accessing health care include hearing about positive experiences of youth who have sought help; positive social support; knowledge transfer leading to improved mental health literacy; and encouragement from others to seek help. 6, Another layer of complexity in the provision of effective healthcare management and treatment is added when youth with complex chronic health needs also have AOD issues. As noted previously, a GP is the preferred entry point for youth accessing health care; however, research shows that only around half of this at-risk group seek medical help and the health of around one quarter who do not seek help deteriorates significantly.…”

Gaps in HCV Knowledge and Risk Behaviors among Young Suburban People Who Inject Drugs

“…Those who rationalized sharing syringes, cookers, cottons, and drug solutions often relied on a significant other or injecting partner to remain uninfected. Such partners were perceived to be at lower risk due to knowledge of this person or the person’s physical appearance [16,19,20]. However, this thought process would only apply to couples who use drugs without a history of injection drug use [30].…”

“…While research has emerged regarding factors associated with HCV infection among young adults in urban and rural settings [4,5,14,15,16,17,18,19], little is known about the factors contributing to the high rates of acute HCV among young suburban PWID. Even less is known about how to engage this population in HCV testing and treatment and how to address their questions on a public health scale [4,5,20].…”