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Viral infections in short-term injection drug users: The prevalence of the hepatitis C, hepatitis B, human immunodeficiency, and human T-lymphotropic viruses

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  • Garfein, R.S.
  • Vlahov, D.
  • Galai, N.
  • Doherty, M.C.
  • Nelson, K.E.

Abstract

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence and correlates of four blood-borne viral infections among illicit drug injectors with up to 6 years of injecting experience. Methods. We analyzed data from 716 volunteers recruited in 1988 and 1989. Test results for hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), human immunodeficiency virus, type 1 (HIV), and human T-lymphotropic virus types I and II (HTLV) were examined across six sequential cohorts defined by duration of drug injection. Results. Overall, seroprevalence of HCV, HBV, HIV, and HTLV was 76.9%, 65.7%, 20.5% and 1.8%, respectively, and 64.7%, 49.8%, 13.9%, and 0.5%, respectively, among those who had injected for 1 year or less. Among the newest initiates, HCV and HBV were associated with injecting variables, and HIV was associated with sexual variables. Conclusions. The high rates of HCV, HBV, and HIV infections among short-term injectors emphasizes the need to target both parenteral and sexual risk reduction interventions early. Renewed efforts at primary prevention of substance abuse are indicated.

Suggested Citation

  • Garfein, R.S. & Vlahov, D. & Galai, N. & Doherty, M.C. & Nelson, K.E., 1996. "Viral infections in short-term injection drug users: The prevalence of the hepatitis C, hepatitis B, human immunodeficiency, and human T-lymphotropic viruses," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 86(5), pages 655-661.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:1996:86:5:655-661_9
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    Cited by:

    1. Montoya, Isaac D. & Atkinson, John S. & Lichtiger, Benjamin & Whitsett, Donna D., 2003. "Prevalence of hepatitis C in a drug using and non-using welfare population," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 64(2), pages 221-228, May.
    2. Harold A. Pollack, 2001. "Cost-effectiveness of Harm Reduction in Preventing Hepatitis C among Injection Drug Users," Medical Decision Making, , vol. 21(5), pages 357-367, October.
    3. Harold A. Pollack, 2001. "Can We Protect Drug Users from Hepatitis C?," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 20(2), pages 358-364.
    4. Lelutiu-Weinberger, Corina & Pouget, Enrique R. & Des Jarlais, Don D.C. & Cooper, Hannah L. & Scheinmann, Roberta & Stern, Rebecca & Strauss, Shiela M. & Hagan, Holly, 2009. "A meta-analysis of the hepatitis C virus distribution in diverse racial/ethnic drug injector groups," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 68(3), pages 579-590, February.
    5. Alexander Gutfraind & Basmattee Boodram & Nikhil Prachand & Atesmachew Hailegiorgis & Harel Dahari & Marian E Major, 2015. "Agent-Based Model Forecasts Aging of the Population of People Who Inject Drugs in Metropolitan Chicago and Changing Prevalence of Hepatitis C Infections," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(9), pages 1-23, September.

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