4176.0: Tuesday, October 23, 2001 - 3:05 PM

Abstract #26425

Illegal income associated with Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among young adult injection drug users (IDUs)

Amit Chitnis, New York Academy of Medicine, Center for Urban Epidemiologic Studies, 1216 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10029, 212-822-7378, achitnis@nyam.org, Sandro Galea, MD, MPH, NewYork Academy of Medicine, Barbara Greenberg, PhD, New York Academy of Medicine, Susan Bailey, PhD, University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health, Chicago, IL, Don Des Jarlais, PhD, Chemical Dependency Institute, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, New York, Richard Garfein, PhD, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control, 1600 Clifton Road, MS E-45, Atlanta, GA 30333, Peter Kerndt, MD, MPH, Division of HIV Epidemiology, Los Angeles County Health Department, Los Angeles, CA, Edward V Morse, PhD, Department of Pediatrics SL-37, Tulane University, 1430 Tulane Ave, New Orleans, LA 70112, Danielle Ompad, MHS, Johns Hopkins, and David Vlahov, PhD, Center for Urban Epidemiologic Studies, New York Academy of Medicine, 1216 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10029.

BACKGROUND: Disadvantaged populations have increased morbidity risk. We were interested in identifying drug users who are at higher risk of HCV. This study assessed the association between illegal income and HCV serostatus within a multi-site sample of IDUs. METHODS: CIDUS II was carried out across 6 sites in 5 cities (New York,Baltimore, New Orleans, Los Angeles, Chicago) during 1997- 1999.Participants recruited through street outreach were eligible if they reported injection drug use during the previous 6 months and were 18-30 years of age. Participants were asked about socio-demographic factors, drug use patterns, and source of income. Blood specimens were tested for HCV antibodies. Multivariable logistic regression analyses assessed the association between illegal income and baseline HCV serostatus. RESULTS: Of 1968 IDUs eligible for this analysis, 64% were male, 52% were white, 20% were Latino and 21% were African-American. Among the 737 respondents who reported an illegal source of income during the previous six months, 24% reported having sex for money, 76% reported theft or selling drugs. In multivariable models controlling for age, race, sex, education, having spent time in prison, frequency, intensity, and duration of injection drug use, persons who reported illegal income were more likely to be HCV+ [odds ratio=1.2; 95% confidence interval excludes unity]. CONCLUSIONS: Although most current approaches to hepatitis C prevention involve behavioral change at the individual level, our data broadly suggest that social programs to address illegal income might be considered as a strategy for reducing individual infection.

Learning Objectives: 1. Discuss potential pathways between illegal income and high risk behaviors in DUs. 2. Describe potential interventions for high risk groups of young DUs.

Keywords: Drug Use, Social Inequalities

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.

The 129th Annual Meeting of APHA