Access to Sterile Injecting Equipment is More Important Than Awareness of HCV Status for Injection Risk Behaviors Among Drug Users

Abstract

Awareness of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection status is expected to influence risk behaviors. In 2004-2005, injection drug users (IDUs) recruited from syringe exchange programs (SEPs) and methadone clinics in Montreal, Canada, were interviewed on drug use behaviors (past 6 months) and HCV testing. Subjects (n = 230) were classified as low/intermediate risk (20.4% borrowed drug preparation equipment only) and high risk (19.6% borrowed syringes), and 54.5% reported being HCV positive. Logistic regression modeling showed that compared to no risk (60% borrowed nothing), low/intermediate risk was associated with fewer noninjecting social network members, poor physical health, and problems obtaining sterile injecting equipment. High risk was associated with all of these factors except social networks. HCV status was not associated with any level of risk. Improved access to sterile injecting equipment may be more important than knowledge of HCV status in reducing injection risks among this IDU population. The study limitations are noted and recommendations discussed.

Hepatitis C virus risk behaviors within the partnerships of young injecting drug users

“…This study found that injecting partnerships in which the participant thought that their injecting partner was HCV‐positive had lower odds of engaging in RNS with that partner compared to those partnerships in which the participants reported that their partner was HCV‐negative. While some studies have examined the effects of one's own HCV status on injecting risk behavior [35,36], only two other studies of which we are aware have examined the effect of perceived partner serostatus on injecting risk behavior [32,33] The study by De et al . found no difference in needle/syringe sharing (both borrowing and lending studied together) by the HCV status of the participant and their partners [32] The study by Burt et al .…”

Emerging Risks Due to New Injecting Patterns in Hungary During Austerity Times

“…However, ecological analysis based on the characteristics of several actual populations of drug users predicts that in case the current HCV prevalence increases, the epidemiological balance may be tipped over toward an increase in the prevalence of HIV (Gyarmathy & Racz, 2010;Vickerman, Hickman, May, Kretzschmar, & Wiessing, 2010). The current epidemiological situation may change due to the mentioned micro and macro environmental changes that have been taking place in Europe in general and in Hungary in particular if adequate levels of infectious diseases prevention responses are not implemented (Cox, et al, 2009;ECDC & EMCDDA, 2011;EMCDDA, 2004;Vickerman, Martin, Turner, & Hickman, 2012;WHO, UNODC, & UNAIDS, 2013).…”

Risk behaviors after hepatitis C virus seroconversion in young injection drug users in San Francisco

“…Some studies suggest healthier alcohol use and injecting practices among patients who are aware that they are HCV-infected as opposed to those who are unaware (Kwiatkowski et al, 2002; McCusker, 2001; Nalpas et al, 2001; Tsui et al, 2007). However, a study of young IDU that examined drug use behaviors 6 months after disclosure of HCV test results failed to find any improvement (Ompad et al, 2002), and another cross-sectional study failed to find any association between awareness of HCV status and injecting behaviors (Cox et al, 2009). No studies have prospectively followed young IDU who HCV seroconvert to examine drug use and sexual behaviors before and after seroconversion.…”