Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #107475

Yesenia Guzman, BA¹, Grace L. Reynolds, DPA¹, Dennis G. Fisher, PhD¹, Charles L. Henry, JD², and Mario J. Perez². (1) Center for Behavioral Research & Services, California State University, Long Beach, 1090 Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90813, 562-495-2330, yguzman@csulb.edu, (2) Office of AIDS Program and Policy (OAPP), Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, 600 S. Commonwealth Avenue, 6th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90005

Objective: The purpose of this study is to develop a model predicting Hepatitis A (HAV) infection among Black, Hispanic and White injection drug users. Methods: Current and former injection drug users in western Los Angeles County were recruited through the Hepatitis Demonstration Project. Participants were tested for Hepatitis A, B, C and HIV and completed the Risk Behavior Assessment (RBA). We modeled hepatitis A infection using a multiple logistic regression model. Results: Risk factors for HAV infection are positive test result for Hepatitis B (HBV) (OR= 3.5, 95% CI=2.45,5.14) and Hepatitis C (HCV) infection (OR=2.2, 95% CI=1.44, 3.32), Hispanic ethnicity (OR=1.9, 95% CI=1.28, 2.88), ever traded sex for money (OR=1.66, 95% CI=1.14, 2.41). The only protective factor against HAV infection is self -reported crack use (OR=.49, 95% CI=.29, .83). Conclusions: These findings further support the promotion of HAV and HBV vaccination of IDUs due to the strong relationship between infection with these three forms of Hepatitis. Further research is necessary to explore the relationship between HAV and Hispanic ethnicity.

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