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Individual and network factors associated with prevalent hepatitis C infection among rural appalachian injection drug users

Author

Listed:
  • Havens, J.R.
  • Lofwall, M.R.
  • Frost, S.D.W.
  • Oser, C.B.
  • Leukefeld, C.G.
  • Crosby, R.A.

Abstract

Objectives. We determined the factors associated with hepatitis C (HCV) infection among rural Appalachian drug users. Methods. This study included 394 injection drug users (IDUs) participating in a study of social networks and infectious disease risk in Appalachian Kentucky. Trained staff conducted HCV, HIV, and herpes simplex-2 virus (HSV-2) testing, and an interviewer-administered questionnaire measured self-reported risk behaviors and sociometric network characteristics. Results. The prevalence of HCV infection was 54.6% among rural IDUs. Lifetime factors independently associated with HCV infection included HSV-2, injecting for 5 or more years, posttraumatic stress disorder, injection of cocaine, and injection of prescription opioids. Recent (past-6-month) correlates of HCV infection included sharing of syringes (adjusted odds ratio = 2.24; 95% confidence interval = 1.32, 3.82) and greater levels of eigenvector centrality in the drug network. Conclusions. One factor emerged that was potentially unique to rural IDUs: the association between injection of prescription opioids and HCV infection. Therefore, preventing transition to injection, especially among prescription opioid users, may curb transmission, as will increased access to opioid maintenance treatment, novel treatments for cocaine dependence, and syringe exchange. Copyright © 2012 by the American Public Health Association®.

Suggested Citation

  • Havens, J.R. & Lofwall, M.R. & Frost, S.D.W. & Oser, C.B. & Leukefeld, C.G. & Crosby, R.A., 2013. "Individual and network factors associated with prevalent hepatitis C infection among rural appalachian injection drug users," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(1), pages 44-52.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2012.300874_1
    DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2012.300874
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    Cited by:

    1. John J. Jost & Barbara Tempalski & Tatiana Vera & Matthew J. Akiyama & Aprille P. Mangalonzo & Alain H. Litwin, 2019. "Gaps in HCV Knowledge and Risk Behaviors among Young Suburban People Who Inject Drugs," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-10, June.
    2. Yin Liu & Xia Zou & Wen Chen & Cheng Gong & Li Ling, 2019. "Hepatitis C Virus Treatment Status and Barriers among Patients in Methadone Maintenance Treatment Clinics in Guangdong Province, China: A Cross-Sectional, Observational Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-15, November.
    3. Youjin Lee & Ashley L. Buchanan & Elizabeth L. Ogburn & Samuel R. Friedman & M. Elizabeth Halloran & Natallia V. Katenka & Jing Wu & Georgios K. Nikolopoulos, 2023. "Finding influential subjects in a network using a causal framework," Biometrics, The International Biometric Society, vol. 79(4), pages 3715-3727, December.

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