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Incidence and risk factors for hepatitis C seroconversion in injecting drug users in Australia

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 20:46 authored by Maher, L, Jalaludin, B, Chant, KG, Jayasuriya, R, Sladden, T, Kaldor, JM, Sargent, PL
Aims To determine the incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and identify risk factors for seroconversion. Design Prospective cohort study. Participants were recruited through direct approaches, street-based outreach, methadone and sexual health clinics and needle and syringe programmes. Setting Urban, regional and rural settings in New South Wales, Australia. Participants Injecting drug users (IDUs) ( n = 584) were screened and tested for exposure to HCV. Between 1999 and 2002 antibody HCV negative IDUs ( n = 368) were enrolled and followed-up every 3–6 months until seroconversion or study completion. Measurements Interviewer-administered baseline and follow- up questionnaires consisted of 131 items and included demographics, drug use and risk behaviour. Approximately 10 cc of whole blood was drawn at each visit. Specimens were stored at − 70C and serology performed using one or two third-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and polymerase chain reaction testing. Findings Sixtyeight seroconversions were observed and incidence was 30.8 per 100 person-years, with incidence in IDUs injecting < 1 year, 133 per 100 person-years. Independent predictors of seroconversion were female gender, duration of injecting, injecting cocaine, shared use of filters and recruitment strategy. Conclusions Women, new initiates and IDUs recruited via outreach appear to be at increased risk of infection. Results confirm the significance of cocaine injection as a risk factor and provide the first evidence outside North America of the link between shared use of drug preparation equipment and incident HCV infection. Prevention efforts should attempt to raise awareness of the risks associated with drug sharing and, in particular, the role of potentially contaminated syringes in HCV infection.

History

Publication title

Addiction

Volume

101

Issue

10

Pagination

1499-1508

ISSN

1360-0443

Department/School

Tasmanian School of Medicine

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Inc.

Place of publication

United Kingdom

Rights statement

Copyright 2006 The Authors. Journal compilation Society for the Study of Addiction

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Clinical health not elsewhere classified

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