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. 2014 Mar;46(3):325-31.
doi: 10.1016/j.jsat.2013.09.004. Epub 2013 Oct 23.

Transitions from injecting to non-injecting drug use: potential protection against HCV infection

Don C Des Jarlais  1 , Courtney McKnight  2 , Kamyar Arasteh  2 , Jonathan Feelemyer  2 , David C Perlman  2 , Holly Hagan  3 , Hannah L F Cooper  4
Affiliations

Transitions from injecting to non-injecting drug use: potential protection against HCV infection

Don C Des Jarlais et al. J Subst Abuse Treat. 2014 Mar.

Abstract

Transitions from injecting to non-injecting drug use have been reported from many different areas, particularly in areas with large human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemics. The extent to which such transitions actually protect against HIV and HCV has not been determined. A cross-sectional survey with HIV and hepatitis C (HCV) testing was conducted with 322 former injectors (persons who had injected illicit drugs but permanently transitioned to non-injecting use) and 801 current injectors recruited in New York City between 2007 and 2012. There were no differences in HIV prevalence, while HCV prevalence was significantly lower among former injectors compared to current injectors. Years injecting functioned as a mediating variable linking former injector status to lower HCV prevalence. Transitions have continued well beyond the reduction in the threat of AIDS to injectors in the city. New interventions to support transitions to non-injecting drug use should be developed and supported by both drug treatment and syringe exchange programs.

Keywords: Drug use; HCV; HIV; Injecting drug use; Non-injecting drug use; Substance abuse.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Associations between injecting status, years injecting and HCV status for patients who began injecting prior to 1995 Notes: 1 Solid lines indicate a strong, statistically significant association 2. Dashed lines indicate a weak, statistically non-significant association *Injecting status: current vs. former injection drug users **HCV status: HCV seropositives vs. HCV seronegative ***OR: Odds Ratio Years injecting measured as a continuous variable. OR is increased odds ratio of being HCV seropositives for each additional year of injecting
Figure 2
Figure 2
Distribution of years injecting among former injectors entering the detoxification program at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City, 2007–2011
Figure 3
Figure 3
Distribution of numbers of subjects transitioning to non-injecting drug use by year of last injection
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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