Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection among Injection Drug Users in the United States, 1994–2004

Abstract

Although regional differences exist, our data suggest that the incidence of HCV infection among injection drug users in the United States decreased from 1994 through 2004.

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

“…Sexual variables examined included sexual orientation (75.6 % straight/heterosexual, 11.3 % homosexual, 13.1 % bisexual), number of sexual partners in the past 3 months (median=1, IQR [1][2][3]), lifetime history of STI diagnosis (17.8 %), and exchanging sex for money or drugs in the past 3 months (27.2 %); none of which differed significantly by HCV infection status (all P values90.1; data not shown).…”

“…[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.…”

“…6,[13][14][15] Furthermore, duration and frequency of injection are strongly associated with HCV infection, with recently initiated IDUs being at an increased risk of seroconversion. 2,5,16 Just south of the busiest land border crossing in the world, and only 20 miles from downtown San Diego, California sits the Mexican city of Tijuana, Baja California where an estimated 95 % of IDUs are HCV antibody (anti-HCV)-positive. 17,18 IDUs have been studied in several California counties, with rates upwards of 70-75 % found in Los Angeles, 3 Fresno, 4 and Sacramento, 19 to 35 % in San Francisco 13 and 32 % in Riverside.…”

Field-based performance of three pre-market rapid hepatitis C virus antibody assays in STAHR (Study to Assess Hepatitis C Risk) among young adults who inject drugs in San Diego, CA

“…6 IDU among young adults has been increasing since the 1990s 6 and studies of young persons who inject drugs (PWID) have found anti-HCV prevalence of 30-70% among PWID depending on frequency and duration of IDU. 2 Many young PWID are unaware of their HCV status, 9 although persons who receive drug treatment or syringe exchange program services are more likely to be aware than those who do not receive these services. 7 PWID have limited access to healthcare and are infrequently tested for anti-HCV using conventional laboratory assays.…”

Prevalence of Hepatitis C Infection in New York City, 2004

“…In recent years, studies have documented that the prevalence of hepatitis C among injection drug users has decreased, though it remains high. [8][9][10] Needle and paraphernalia use and sharing among drug users have decreased since the 1990s as a result of improved awareness and education, and because higher drug purity facilitates snorting rather than injecting. [11][12][13] Receiving a blood transfusion is also a common risk factor, but HCV transmission through transfusion declined as standards for donor deferral and screening improved, especially since US blood banks began using an accurate HCV screening test in 1992.…”