 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Wanitchaya Kittikraisak, MS1, Kimberly Page-Shafer, PhD2, Paula J Lum, MD2, Judy Hahn, PhD2, Jennifer Evans, MS2, Peter J Davidson, BA2, and Andrew R Moss, PhD2. (1) University of California, Berkeley, School of Public Health, Berkeley, CA 94720, 5108476575, wanitch@uclink.berkeley.edu, (2) University of California, San Francisco, Department of Medicine, San Francisco, CA 94105
Objectives: To examine association between incarceration (jail/prison) and blood-borne virus infections (HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C) among young (<30 years) intravenous drug users (IDUs) in San Francisco. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Demographic information, risk behaviors and incarceration history were collected in structured interviews. HIV, HBV and HCV serologies were performed on blood samples. Results: 846 IDUs participated. Median age was 22 (interquartile range 20-25); 30.9% were female; and 70.5% had lived in San Francisco <1 year. Of those, 85.2% had a history of incarceration. Prevalence of HBV and HCV was significantly higher among those with incarceration history (Odds ratio [OR], 1.8; 95% CI, 1.0-3.1 and OR, 3.7; 95% CI, 2.2-6.2, respectively) while HIV was higher but not significant. After adjusting for other risk behaviors, incarceration history was independently associated with HCV but not with HBV infection. In a multivariate model that examined incarceration exposures associated with HCV among those with a history of incarceration, both injection in jail/prison (AOR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1-3.0) and spending >6 months in jail/prison (AOR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.1-2.2) were significant after adjusting for age, duration and frequency of injecting and history of borrowing used injecting equipment. Conclusion: A high proportion of young IDUs report incarceration history and HCV is highly prevalent in this group. Young IDUs may be at increased risk for acquiring HCV infection prior to, during or after incarceration. HCV risk-reduction counseling and interventions should target young IDUs at risk of incarceration or who report incarceration history.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Injection Drug Users, Incarceration
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.