BACKGROUND: Injection drug users (IDUs) are at risk for acquiring human immunodefiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) via parenteral and sexual transmission. We determined the seroprevalence and correlates of HIV and HCV for IDUs recruited in Edmonton, Alberta. METHODS: Edmonton was one site of a multi-site, national survey (I-Track Study). From April to June 2005, IDUs were recruited and administered a questionnaire collecting information on demographics, drug use, sexual behaviours, and HIV/HCV testing behaviours. Finger-prick blood samples were collected for serology testing. Seroprevalence of HIV and HCV was determined and correlates of infection were assessed using logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 275 IDUs, 68% were male, the median age was 38 years and 70.6% were Aboriginal. HIV prevalence was 23.9%, HCV prevalence was 66.1% and HIV/HCV co-infection was 22.8%. Cocaine (36.9%) was reported to be the drug injected most often in the previous six months. Correlates for HIV were sex trade (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.0-8.3) for women, and older age (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.0-1.2) and needle exchange program (NEP) use (OR 5.7, 95% CI 1.3-23.7) for men. For women, having a casual sex partner was protective for HCV (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.10-0.78). Independent correlates for HCV among males included age (AOR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.3) and younger age of first injection (AOR 0.92, 95% CI 0.87-0.96). CONCLUSION: The high HIV and HCV prevalence found in this study among IDUs in Edmonton highlights the complex needs of the IDU community and the continued need for targeted programming.
BACKGROUND: Injection drug users (IDUs) are at risk for acquiring humanimmunodefiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) via parenteral and sexual transmission. We determined the seroprevalence and correlates of HIV and HCV for IDUs recruited in Edmonton, Alberta. METHODS: Edmonton was one site of a multi-site, national survey (I-Track Study). From April to June 2005, IDUs were recruited and administered a questionnaire collecting information on demographics, drug use, sexual behaviours, and HIV/HCV testing behaviours. Finger-prick blood samples were collected for serology testing. Seroprevalence of HIV and HCV was determined and correlates of infection were assessed using logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 275 IDUs, 68% were male, the median age was 38 years and 70.6% were Aboriginal. HIV prevalence was 23.9%, HCV prevalence was 66.1% and HIV/HCV co-infection was 22.8%. Cocaine (36.9%) was reported to be the drug injected most often in the previous six months. Correlates for HIV were sex trade (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.0-8.3) for women, and older age (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.0-1.2) and needle exchange program (NEP) use (OR 5.7, 95% CI 1.3-23.7) for men. For women, having a casual sex partner was protective for HCV (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.10-0.78). Independent correlates for HCV among males included age (AOR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.3) and younger age of first injection (AOR 0.92, 95% CI 0.87-0.96). CONCLUSION: The high HIV and HCV prevalence found in this study among IDUs in Edmonton highlights the complex needs of the IDU community and the continued need for targeted programming.
Authors: Stephen M Davis; Shay Daily; Alfgeir L Kristjansson; George A Kelley; Keith Zullig; Adam Baus; Danielle Davidov; Melanie Fisher Journal: Harm Reduct J Date: 2017-05-17