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

Abstract #57199

Lisa A. Matulonis, BS and Julie Gallelo, MPH. Public Health Promotion and Education Division, Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services, 9719 Lincoln Village Drive, Suite 300A, Sacramento, CA 95827, 916-875-4070, matulonisl@saccounty.net

Sacramento County is home to an estimated 14,000 injection drug users, including daily and recreational injectors. While HIV infection rates in the Sacramento region are estimated to be only half as high as some of the nearby Bay Area counties, hepatitis C (HCV) infection rates in Sacramento's IDU population are estimated to be as high as 93%. Working in a collaborative partnership with Yolo County Health Department and Harm Reduction Services, a community based organization serving the IDU population in both counties, Sacramento County Department of Health & Human Services integrated HCV outreach, education, and testing into its HIV prevention program. 211 injectors and/or high-risk substance users in Sacramento and Yolo counties completed HCV risk assessments and were screened for HCV status during a 1-year demonstration project. Results: Of the 211 screened for HCV, 62% were male, 37% female, 1% transgender. Veterans and people of color were disproportionately affected by HCV. 71% of African Americans (n=21) tested were positive and 64% of Hispanics (n=39) were positive, compared to 47% of Caucasians (140) who tested positive. 75% of veterans (n=24) tested were positive, with 86% of Vietnam-era veterans (n=7) testing positive for HCV. 42% of the sample reported being homeless at the time of encounter. Data further shows that 71% of monthly injectors (recreational users) who shared needles and/or injection equipment were positive, while only 63% of daily injectors who shared were positive. Additional risk factors for HCV positivity and other findings from the project will be provided in this presentation.

Learning Objectives:

• Articulate relative risk for HCV infection among long and short-term injection drug users (IDU)
• Understand how injection frequency influences HCV positivity rates
• Describe 3 factors that place veterans and persons of color at increased risk for HCV infection

Keywords: Hepatitis C, 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.