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

Abstract #62983

Dennis G. Fisher, PhD¹, Grace L. Reynolds, DPA(c)¹, Catherine M. Branson, BA¹, Carol Itatani, PhD², Christine Willey, MA¹, and Anthony J. Mendez¹. (1) Center for Behavioral Research & Services, California State University, Long Beach, 1090 Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90813, 562-495-2330, dfisher@csulb.edu, (2) Biological Sciences, California State University, Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90840

Objectives: To assess Hepatitis and HIV morbidity among injection drug users (IDUs) in Los Angeles County, California. Methods: As of February 8, 2003, 50 IDUs were eligible for testing based on visible signs of injection (Cagle et al. 2002). Trained phlebotomists performed venipuncture and serum was tested for total antibodies to hepatitis A (HAV), antibodies to hepatitis C (HCV), core antibody for hepatitis B (HBV), and ELISA and reflex confirmatory Western Blot for HIV. Results: 60% (30/50, CI=.45, .73) were positive for HAV, 70% (35/50, CI=.55, .82) were positive for HCV, 62% (31/50, CI=.47, .75) were positive for HBV, 7.7% (3/36, CI=.016, .208) were positive for HIV. There was a significant association between HAV and HBV c² (1, N = 50) = 6.8, p = .0089, where 46% were positive for both. There was also a positive association between HBV and HCV c² (1, N = 50) = 4.4, p = .0359, where 50% were positive for both. 38% (19/50, CI=.24, .52) were positive for all three types of hepatitis. Conclusions: The disease burden is extremely high among this sample of injection drug users in Los Angles County, California. If a patient tests positive for one kind of hepatitis, the health care provider should test for other types of hepatitis.

Learning Objectives:

• The participant will be able to prioritize hepatitis testing procedures for IDUs.

Keywords: Drug Injectors, Hepatitis C

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.