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. 2014 Sep;104(9):1713-21.
doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2013.301357. Epub 2013 Oct 17.

Seroprevalence of HIV, hepatitis B virus, and HCV among injection drug users in Connecticut: understanding infection and coinfection risks in a nonurban population

Hana Akselrod  1 , Lauretta E Grau, Russell Barbour, Robert Heimer
Affiliations

Seroprevalence of HIV, hepatitis B virus, and HCV among injection drug users in Connecticut: understanding infection and coinfection risks in a nonurban population

Hana Akselrod et al. Am J Public Health. 2014 Sep.

Abstract

Objectives: We examined HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and HCV seroprevalence in an interim analysis and the potential risk factors associated with these infections among injection drug users (IDUs) residing in nonurban communities of southwestern Connecticut.

Methods: We recruited and interviewed active adult IDUs about their injection-associated risk and conducted serological tests for HIV, HBV, and HCV. Regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for infection and coinfection.

Results: Among 446 participants, 51.6% carried at least 1 infection, and 16.3% were coinfected. Infection risk was associated with longer duration of injection use, overdose, substance abuse treatment, depression, and involvement with the criminal justice system. Coinfection was associated with longer injection drug use, lower education, overdose, and criminal justice involvement. Multivariate models identified injection drug use duration, substance abuse treatment, and criminal justice involvement as the most significant predictors of infection; injection drug use duration and education were the most significant predictors of coinfection.

Conclusions: Suburban IDUs are at significant risk for acquiring single and multiple viral infections. Effective harm reduction strategies are needed to reach users early. There might be roles for interventions in the treatment and justice systems in which IDUs interact.

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Figures

FIGURE 1—
FIGURE 1—
Numbers of participants for whom serological test results were seropositive for HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), or HCV: Connecticut, 2008–2011.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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