Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Needle Exchange Use Among Young Injection Drug Users in San Francisco

Abstract

Young injection drug users (IDUs) in San Francisco may be at high risk for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection despite access to several needle exchange venues. The authors conducted a cross-sectional study from 1997 to 1999 in San Francisco to estimate the prevalence and incidence of antibody to HCV (anti-HCV) among street-recruited IDUs under age 30, and to examine risk behaviors and sources of sterile needles. Among 308 participants, the prevalence of anti-HCV was 45%. Using statistical modeling, incidence of HCV infection was estimated to be 11 per 100 person years. Independent risk factors for anti-HCV included age (odds ratio [OR], 1.17 per year; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-1.30), years injecting (OR, 1.21 per year; 95% CI, 1.10-1.34), years in San Francisco (OR, 1.06 per year; 95% CI, 1.00-1.14), first injected by a sex partner (OR, 4.06; 95% CI, 1.74-9.52), injected daily (OR, 3.85; 95% CI, 2.07-7.17), ever borrowed a needle (OR, 2.56; 95% CI, 1.18-5.53), bleached last time a needle was borrowed (OR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.24-1.02), snorted or smoked drugs in the prior year (OR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.26-0.89), and injected by someone else in the prior month (OR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.25-0.99). In the prior month, 88% used at least 1 of several needle exchange venues, and 32% borrowed a needle. We conclude that anti-HCV prevalence is lower than in previous studies of older IDUs, but 11% incidence implies high risk of HCV infection in a long injecting career. Despite access to sterile needles, borrowing of needles persisted.

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection and associated factors among male illicit drug users in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil

“…Such characteristics correspond to those found in other reports (Cobos Calleja et al 2003). The data and analysis shown here were restricted to males, which make up the majority of the drug-using population in many report (Hahn et al 2001, Cobos Calleja et al 2003.…”

Clinical laboratory assessment of hepatitis C and HIV coinfected patients according to the antiretroviral therapy received

“…Nowadays, the concept of blood transfusion as a risk factor for both viruses has almost disappeared due to the introduction of serological tests in the 80´s, besides syringe exchange programs and educational programs implemented in major cities, originally as an immediate reaction to AIDS epidemy 9,18,25 .…”

HCV Infection Prevalence Lower Than Expected among 18–40-Year-Old Injection Drug Users in San Diego, CA

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Older age and longer injecting duration could account for the higher upper bounds of these estimates; however, two U.S. studies 8,9 reported finding 33 and 36 % of IDUs under 25 years old were HCV infected and several non-U.S. studies found a much higher prevalence even among IDUs in this age group. 10 In 2007, 48 % of individuals with incident HCV in the U.S. reported injection drug use, which continues to be the leading risk factor for infection.…”