The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #68143

Alan Neaigus, PhD¹, V. Anna Gyarmathy, MS, MPH¹, and Maureen Miller, PhD². (1) Institute for International Research on Youth at Risk, National Development and Research Institutes, Inc., 71 West 23rd Street, 8th Floor, New York City, NY 10010, 212-845-4480, neaigus@ndri.org, (2) Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street, room 1210/12, New York City, NY 10032

Objectives: To determine injecting and sex risk correlates of HIV, hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) infection among male and female new injecting drug users (NIDUs). Methods: Between 2/1999-1/2003, 255 NIDUs injecting 6 years or less, aged 18-30, were recruited in New York City, serotested for HIV, HBV and HCV, and interviewed about their lifetime and recent risk behaviors and networks. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) are estimated by multivariate logistic regression. Statistical significance is p<0.05. Results: The mean age was 22.8 (SD=3.3); 68% were male, 81% white. Seroprevalences, women vs. men, were: HIVab (4% vs. 2%, ns); HBV (11% vs. 24%); HCV (42% vs. 27%). Correlates of infection among men were: HIV - men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) (OR=23.5); HBV - ever having an HBV-infected sex partner (aOR=12.1), ever selling sex (aOR=5.6); HCV - injecting duration (aOR=1.4), having 60 or more sex partners (aOR=3.9). Correlates of infection among women were: HIV - injecting with an MSM (last 30 days) (aOR=20.3), having 60 or more sex partners (aOR=20.3); HBV - having 60 or more sex partners (OR=8.8); HCV - injecting 300 or more times (aOR=9.0), ever having an HCV-infected sex partner (aOR=26.4). Conclusions: HBV and HCV prevalence were considerable. Men were more likely to have been infected with HBV and women with HCV. NIDUs with high-risk sex/injecting networks or many sex partners and those injecting for a longer time or more frequently were more likely to be infected. NIDUs with high-risk sex/injecting networks may be a potential bridge-group for transmitting infections. The sexual risk of HCV transmission requires exploration.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the session participant will be able to:
• Understand the injecting and sex risks of HIV, HBV and HCV infection among male and female new injecting drug users (NIDUs).
• Describe the prevalence of infection among male and female NIDUs and the correlates of infection.
• Use this information to develop or assess HIV, HBV or HCV risk reduction interventions among NIDUs that address sex as well as injecting risk reduction.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Injection Drug Users

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.