OBJECTIVE: To describe history of institutionalization in mental health facilities and risk for HCV infection among IDUs. METHODS: Cross-sectional, interviewer-administered, risk survey, and HCV screening conducted by street-outreach in Hollywood and Long Beach between 1997 and 1999. FINDINGS: 354 participants were street-recruited. 64% of the sample was male, median age was 22 years (range: 18-30 yrs.). 60% were Caucasian, 11% Latino, 4% African-American and 25% other/multi-race ethnicity, and 66% homeless. HCV prevalence was 23%. Substance use ranged from 17% for crack to over 80% for heroin and methamphetamine, and 80% for polydrug use. Median length of IDU was 4 years (range: £ 1 years - 18 years). 37% reported a history of institutionalization in a mental health facility. After adjustment for demographic variables; predictors of HCV infection included length of injection drug use and polydrug use (p £ 0.05). In path analysis, predictors of high-risk profile (longer length of injection drug use and polydrug use) associated with HCV prevalence were significantly associated with history of institutionalization in a mental health facility (OR: 2.0; 95% C.I. 1.2; 3.4). CONCLUSION. IDU is considered a powerful risk factor for HCV independent of various differentiating demographic factors. The development over time of a high-risk profile (longer length of IDU and polydrug use) may be a more important mechanism to understand excess risk. Increased risk in turn may be dependent on critical life episode such as mental health institutionalization. Prevention efforts aimed at young IDUs must consider critical life events predisposing them for bloodborne infections.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: (1) Learn about the impact of emerging bloodborne infections among injection drug users (IDUs) (2) Identify risk behaviors associated with greater risk for Hepatitis C (HCV) among young IDUs (3) Learn about intervention strategies to prevent the spread of HCV among high-risk populations
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.