Objectives: To examine age mixing patterns in the injecting networks of hepatitis C (HCV) infected new injecting drug users (IDUs). Methods: Between February 1999-September 2000, 162 new IDUs (injecting 6 or fewer years) aged 18 to 30 were recruited in New York City. They were counseled and tested for HCV and interviewed about the people they injected drugs with in the last 30 days. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) are estimated by GEE analysis. Results: Thirty-day injecting networks were reported by 124 participants. The median age of participants was 21. Among 65 participants aged 18 to 21, the 21 (32%) who were HCV seropositive reported 39 injecting partnerships. These partnerships were as likely to be with older (22 or older) IDUs (46%) as with other younger (18 to 21) IDUs (54%). Among 59 participants aged 22 to 30, the 24 (41%) who were HCV seropositive reported 44 injecting partnerships, which were predominantly with older IDUs (82%) and infrequently with younger IDUs (18%). Older compared to younger HCV seropositive participants were much less likely to inject with younger partners (OR=0.19, 95% CI=0.07, 0.51). Conclusions: HCV infected younger new injectors may be a transmission bridge from older to other younger injectors as well as an endemic source of infection. Older compared to younger HCV infected new injectors may be less likely to transmit HCV to younger injectors through direct injecting networks. Interventions should especially target younger injectors and the members of their injecting networks.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the session participant will be able to: 1. obtain information on how to examine the injecting networks of new injectors; 2. consider how injecting networks may promote (or inhibit) the transmission of HCV among new injectors; 3. think about the relevance of focusing on new injectors' injecting networks to prevent HCV transmission.
Keywords: Hepatitis C, Injection Drug Users
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.