Sexual transmission of hepatitis c virus (HCV) among IDUs and their non-injecting sex partners on the US-Mexico border

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among injection drug users (IDUs) has been documented to be over 90% along the U.S.-Mexico border. HCV sexual transmission rate varies by partner type (e.g. monogamous heterosexual couples (2-5%), men who have sex with men (1-7%)) and increases when sex partner is HCV/HIV co-infected. METHODS: The purpose of this cross-sectional, pilot study is to assess the prevalence of HCV/HIV and known risk behaviors among IDUs and their non-injecting sex partners. Participants are recruited using convenience and snowball sampling, interviewed, and tested for HCV/HIV by outreach workers in Cd. Juárez, Mexico. RESULTS: HCV prevalence was 94.3% for IDUs (n=35) and 11.4% for non-injecting sex partners (N=35). One (2.9%) IDU is HCV/HIV co-infected. All sex partners who tested HCV positive had HCV positive partner. All IDUs reported heroin as the most frequent drug injected. Among those who reported using drugs or alcohol during sex, 69% of IDUs reported heroin and 75% of sex partners reported alcohol as the most frequent substance used. Most (62.5%) IDUs reported never cleaning syringes with bleach and water. CONCLUSIONS: Sexual transmission of HCV is plausible. Given the high prevalence of HCV among their non-injecting sex partners, future intervention and harm reduction efforts should include sex partners of IDUs.