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Glancy M, Yeung A, McAuley A, Palmateer N, Bishop J, Taylor B, Lang J, Barnsdale L, Priyadarshi S, Hutchinson S. Factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 testing, diagnosis and COVID-19 disease among individuals prescribed opioid-agonist treatment: a nationwide retrospective cohort study. Clin Microbiol Infect 2024; 30:1312-1318. [PMID: 38936544 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2024.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Among people receiving opioid-agonist treatment (OAT), the risk of COVID-19 infection and disease may be higher owing to underlying health problems and vulnerable social circumstances. We aimed to determine whether recent OAT, when compared with past exposure, affected the risk of (i) testing for SARS-CoV-2, (ii) testing positive for SARS-CoV-2, and (iii) being hospitalized or dying with COVID-19 disease. METHODS We included individuals prescribed OAT in Scotland from 2015 to 2020. We performed record linkage to SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing, vaccination, hospitalization, and mortality data, and followed up from March 2020 to December 2021. We used proportional hazards analysis and multivariate logistic regression to estimate associations between recent OAT prescription (in the previous 2 months), compared with past exposure (off treatment for over a year), and COVID-19 outcomes. Models were adjusted for confounders. RESULTS Among 36 093 individuals prescribed OAT, 19 071 (52.9%) were tested for SARS-CoV-2; 2896 (8.3%) tested positive; and 552 (1.5%) were hospitalized or died with COVID-19. Recent OAT, compared with past exposure, was associated with lower odds of testing positive among those tested (aOR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.57-0.69). However, among those testing positive, recent OAT was associated with two-fold higher odds of hospitalization or death (aOR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.60-2.59). DISCUSSION We found that recent OAT was associated with lower odds of SARS-CoV-2 infection, but with higher odds of disease once diagnosed. Clinical studies are needed to unravel the role of OAT in these associations. An enhanced effort is warranted to increase vaccine coverage among OAT patients to mitigate the severe consequences of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Glancy
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK; Public Health Scotland, Glasgow, UK.
| | - Alan Yeung
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK; Public Health Scotland, Glasgow, UK
| | - Andrew McAuley
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK; Public Health Scotland, Glasgow, UK
| | - Norah Palmateer
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK; Public Health Scotland, Glasgow, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Saket Priyadarshi
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK; Glasgow Alcohol and Drug Recovery Services, Glasgow, UK
| | - Sharon Hutchinson
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK; Public Health Scotland, Glasgow, UK
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Hou X, Li N, Zhang H, Liu W, Zheng H, Wang R, Zhuang T, Hui H, Zou Z, Xia R, Santella AJ, Wang F, Wang L, Wei X, Zhuang G. Hepatitis B virus infection and vaccination among people who use drugs in Xi'an, China. Vaccine 2024; 42:126259. [PMID: 39226787 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.126259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 08/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in children has declined dramatically in China due to the vaccination strategy for newborns, HBV infection in high-risk adults is receiving an increasing attention. The number of people who use drugs (PWUD) in China is huge, but their status of HBV infection and vaccination is less reported, especially from large samples. The related knowledge can help decision makers develop the further strategy of HBV prevention and control. METHODS A seroepidemiological survey was conducted in all four compulsory isolated detoxification centers (CIDCs) and all eight methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) clinics located in Xi'an, China. All PWUD who were undergoing detoxification or treatment in these settings were included. A questionnaire was designed to obtain the information of HBV vaccination history of participants, and sociodemographic and behavioral data of participants were obtained from the registration records of their respective CIDCs or MMT clinics. RESULTS A total of 4705 PWUD participated in the survey. Positive rates of HBsAg (current infection) and HBsAg or anti-HBc (current/past infection) were 5.50% and 58.02%, notably higher than those reported for the general adult population in the same province during the same period. As age increased, the anti-HBc positive rate increased with statistically significant trend. The all-negative for HBsAg, anti-HBc, and anti-HBs accounted for 28.82%. Only 18.49% were identified by the questionnaire as having received HBV vaccine. The logistic regression found that compared with identified vaccinated PWUD, those unsure if having been vaccinated and those identified non-vaccinated had a significantly higher HBV current/past infection rate, with an increasing trend. CONCLUSION PWUD are a high-risk adult group of HBV infection in China. Of them, more than half have not received HBV vaccine, and a significant portion are susceptible to HBV. Catch-up vaccination is need for this population to prevent and control HBV transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianbin Hou
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ning Li
- Xi'an Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hailan Zhang
- Xi'an Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wenjun Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Haichao Zheng
- Xi'an Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Xi'an Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Tianyi Zhuang
- Xi'an Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hui Hui
- Xi'an Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhuoru Zou
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory for Disease Prevention and Control and Health Promotion of Shaanxi Province, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ruyi Xia
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory for Disease Prevention and Control and Health Promotion of Shaanxi Province, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Anthony J Santella
- Department of Public Health, Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies, Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT, USA
| | - Fuzhen Wang
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Lirong Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory for Disease Prevention and Control and Health Promotion of Shaanxi Province, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Xiaoli Wei
- Xi'an Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Guihua Zhuang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory for Disease Prevention and Control and Health Promotion of Shaanxi Province, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
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Yin S, Ly KN, Barker LK, Bixler D, Thompson ND, Gupta N. Estimating the Prevalence of Injection Drug Use Among Acute Hepatitis C Cases From a National Surveillance System: Application of Random Forest-Based Multiple Imputation. JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH MANAGEMENT AND PRACTICE 2024; 30:733-743. [PMID: 39041767 DOI: 10.1097/phh.0000000000002014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Injection drug use (IDU) is a major contributor to the syndemic of viral hepatitis, human immunodeficiency virus, and drug overdose. However, information on IDU is frequently missing in national viral hepatitis surveillance data, which limits our understanding of the full extent of IDU-associated infections. Multiple imputation by chained equations (MICE) has become a popular approach to address missing data, but its application for IDU imputation is less studied. METHODS Using the 2019-2021 National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System acute hepatitis C case data and publicly available county-level measures, we evaluated listwise deletion (LD) and 3 models imputing missing IDU data through MICE: parametric logistic regression, semi-parametric predictive mean matching (PMM), and nonparametric random forest (RF) (both standard RF [sRF] and fast implementation of RF [fRF]). RESULTS The estimated IDU prevalence among acute hepatitis C cases increased from 63.5% by LD to 65.1% by logistic regression, 66.9% by PMM, 76.0% by sRF, and 85.1% by fRF. Evaluation studies showed that RF-based MICE imputation, especially fRF, has the highest accuracy (as measured by smallest raw bias, percent bias, and root mean square error) and highest efficiency (as measured by smallest 95% confidence interval width) compared to LD and other models. Sensitivity analyses indicated that fRF remained robust when data were missing not at random. CONCLUSION Our analysis suggested that RF-based MICE imputation, especially fRF, could be a valuable approach for addressing missing IDU data in the context of population-based surveillance systems like National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System. The inclusion of imputed IDU data may enhance the effectiveness of future surveillance and prevention efforts for the IDU-driven syndemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoman Yin
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
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Stevens O, Sabin K, Anderson RL, Garcia SA, Willis K, Rao A, McIntyre AF, Fearon E, Grard E, Stuart-Brown A, Cowan F, Degenhardt L, Stannah J, Zhao J, Hakim AJ, Rucinski K, Sathane I, Boothe M, Atuhaire L, Nyasulu PS, Maheu-Giroux M, Platt L, Rice B, Hladik W, Baral S, Mahy M, Imai-Eaton JW. Population size, HIV prevalence, and antiretroviral therapy coverage among key populations in sub-Saharan Africa: collation and synthesis of survey data, 2010-23. Lancet Glob Health 2024; 12:e1400-e1412. [PMID: 39151976 PMCID: PMC11345451 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(24)00236-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Key population HIV programmes in sub-Saharan Africa require epidemiological information to ensure equitable and universal access to effective services. We aimed to consolidate and harmonise survey data among female sex workers, men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, and transgender people to estimate key population size, HIV prevalence, and antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage for countries in mainland sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS Key population size estimates, HIV prevalence, and ART coverage data from 39 sub-Saharan Africa countries between 2010 and 2023 were collated from existing databases and verified against source documents. We used Bayesian mixed-effects spatial regression to model urban key population size estimates as a proportion of the gender-matched, year-matched, and area-matched population aged 15-49 years. We modelled subnational key population HIV prevalence and ART coverage with age-matched, gender-matched, year-matched, and province-matched total population estimates as predictors. FINDINGS We extracted 2065 key population size data points, 1183 HIV prevalence data points, and 259 ART coverage data points. Across national urban populations, a median of 1·65% (IQR 1·35-1·91) of adult cisgender women were female sex workers, 0·89% (0·77-0·95) were men who have sex with men, 0·32% (0·31-0·34) were men who injected drugs, and 0·10% (0·06-0·12) were women who were transgender. HIV prevalence among key populations was, on average, four to six times higher than matched total population prevalence, and ART coverage was correlated with, but lower than, the total population ART coverage with wide heterogeneity in relative ART coverage across studies. Across sub-Saharan Africa, key populations were estimated as comprising 1·2% (95% credible interval 0·9-1·6) of the total population aged 15-49 years but 6·1% (4·5-8·2) of people living with HIV. INTERPRETATION Key populations in sub-Saharan Africa experience higher HIV prevalence and lower ART coverage, underscoring the need for focused prevention and treatment services. In 2024, limited data availability and heterogeneity constrain precise estimates for programming and monitoring trends. Strengthening key population surveys and routine data within national HIV strategic information systems would support more precise estimates. FUNDING UNAIDS, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and US National Institutes of Health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Stevens
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - Keith Sabin
- Data for Impact, The Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Rebecca L Anderson
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Sonia Arias Garcia
- Data for Impact, The Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Kalai Willis
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Amrita Rao
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Anne F McIntyre
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Fearon
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Emilie Grard
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Alice Stuart-Brown
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Frances Cowan
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK; Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - James Stannah
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Jinkou Zhao
- The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Avi J Hakim
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | | | - Makini Boothe
- Data for Impact, The Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Lydia Atuhaire
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Peter S Nyasulu
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Mathieu Maheu-Giroux
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Lucy Platt
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Brian Rice
- Sheffield Centre for Health and Related Research (SCHARR), School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Wolfgang Hladik
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Stefan Baral
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mary Mahy
- Data for Impact, The Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jeffrey W Imai-Eaton
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK; Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics, Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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Ryan H, Dore GJ, Grebely J, Byrne M, Cunningham EB, Martinello M, Lloyd AR, Hajarizadeh B. Hepatitis C treatment outcome among people in prison: The SToP-C study. Liver Int 2024. [PMID: 39192724 DOI: 10.1111/liv.16074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Hepatitis C virus (HCV) burden is higher among people in prison given high prevalence of injecting drug use. This study evaluated direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment outcome in prisons. METHODS The Surveillance and Treatment of Prisoners with hepatitis C (SToP-C) study enrolled individuals incarcerated in four Australian prisons (2017-2019). Participants with detectable HCV RNA were offered sofosbuvir-velpatasvir for 12 weeks. Sustained virological response (SVR) was assessed in intention-to-treat (ITT; participants commencing treatment and due for SVR assessment before study close) and per-protocol (PP; participants with documented treatment completion and SVR assessment) populations. RESULTS Among 799 participants with HCV, 324 (41%) commenced treatment (94% male; median age, 32 years; median duration of incarceration, 9 months). In ITT population (n = 310), 201 had documented treatment completion (65% [95% CI: 59-70]), and 137 achieved SVR (ITT-SVR: 44% [95% CI: 39-50]). In PP population (n = 143), 137 achieved SVR (PP-SVR: 96% [95% CI: 91-98]). Six participants had quantifiable HCV RNA at SVR assessment from treatment failure (n = 2) or reinfection (n = 4). Release or inter-prison transfer was common reasons for no documented treatment completion (n = 106/109 [97%]) and no SVR assessment (n = 57/58 [98%]). In ITT analysis, longer incarceration was associated with increased SVR (adjusted OR per month 1.03 [95% CI: 1.01-1.04]). CONCLUSION Among participants who completed DAA treatment and were assessed for SVR, treatment outcome was consistent with non-prison clinical studies. However, most individuals did not complete treatment or lacked study-documented treatment outcome due to release or transfer. Strategies to accommodate dynamic prisoner populations are required to ensure continuity of HCV care, including treatment completion and post-treatment care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Ryan
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Gregory J Dore
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jason Grebely
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Marianne Byrne
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Evan B Cunningham
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Andrew R Lloyd
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Chiou KS, Feiger JA, Snyder RL, Davila CA, Gocci Carrasco N, Bennett SJ, Dombrowski K, Fernando S, Major AM, Valentín-Acevedo A, West JT, Wood C. Cognitive Intraindividual variability in injection drug use among Hispanic residents of Puerto Rico. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY. ADULT 2024:1-8. [PMID: 39180514 DOI: 10.1080/23279095.2024.2389564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/26/2024]
Abstract
Despite a high prevalence of injection drug use (IDU) in Puerto Rico, little is known about how it affects neuropsychological functioning in this population. Investigations of intra-individual variability (IIV) have alluded to its utility as a potential indicator of neural decline. The purpose of this study was to characterize IIV among Hispanic residents of Puerto Rico who engage in IDU. Injectors and non-injectors completed the Neuropsí Atención y Memoria battery. Measures of IIV were calculated for the overall test battery (OTB), the three battery indices, and three domains of attention, memory, and executive functioning. The injector group showed significantly greater IIV than the non-injector group on all measures (OTB, indices, and individual domains). Additionally, injectors showed significantly higher IIV in the domain of executive functioning compared to other cognitive domains and battery indices. In contrast, non-injectors did not show any significant within-group differences on any IIV measures. The higher performance variability observed in the IDU group suggests a negative influence of IDU on cognition, with executive functioning being more susceptible to these effects. These findings support the need for continued investigations into the clinical application of IIV for diagnostic and prognostic purposes in the Hispanic IDU population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathy S Chiou
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Jeremy A Feiger
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Rachael L Snyder
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Carmen A Davila
- Department of Sociology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Nova Gocci Carrasco
- Method and Evaluation Core Facility, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Sydney J Bennett
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | | | - Samodha Fernando
- Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Angel M Major
- Department of Internal Medicine, Universidad Central del Caribe, Bayamón, Puerto Rico
| | - Aníbal Valentín-Acevedo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Universidad Central del Caribe, Bayamón, Puerto Rico
| | - John T West
- Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Louisiana Cancer Research Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Charles Wood
- Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Louisiana Cancer Research Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
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7
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Price O, Machalek DA, Sutherland R, Gibbs D, Colledge-Frisby S, Read P, Peacock A. Coverage of cervical cancer prevention interventions among people in Australia who inject drugs. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2024; 132:104566. [PMID: 39173252 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2024] [Revised: 08/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and regular (i.e., every five years) cervical screening are essential to prevent cervical cancer. Australia has high overall coverage of both interventions but little is known about coverage among people who inject drugs. and known barriers to preventive care among this population may extend to cervical cancer control measures. METHODS Data were obtained from the 2023 Illicit Drug Reporting System interviews, in which people who regularly inject drugs participated. The sample was restricted to people with a cervix, with participants aged 25-74 years eligible for the National Cervical Screening Program and participants born after 1980 eligible for HPV vaccination. Age-standardised prevalence ratios were used to compare coverage among this sample to the Australian general population; other results were summarised descriptively. FINDINGS Among participants eligible for screening (n = 243), most (96.7 %) reported lifetime uptake, while 70.2 % had been screened during the past five years, which was similar to the general population (prevalence ratio [PR]: 1.14, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 0.96-1.31). Among those never or overdue for screening (n = 57), one third (31.7 %) were aware that self-sampling is available and barriers to screening varied, with similar numbers reporting personal (e.g., 'I didn't know I needed to'), logistical (e.g., 'I don't have time'), and test-related reasons (e.g., 'the test is uncomfortable/painful'). Among participants eligible for HPV vaccination (n = 99), coverage was 27.2 %, 38 % lower than the general population (PR: 0.62, 95 % CI: 0.39-0.86). CONCLUSIONS Cervical screening coverage among this sample of people who inject drugs was similar to the Australian population. Health promotion messaging that focuses on the availability of self-sampling and the importance of regular screening may improve coverage among those overdue for screening. HPV vaccination was lower than the general population, warranting targeted efforts to offer the vaccine to eligible people who inject drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Price
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Dorothy A Machalek
- Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Centre for Women's Infectious Diseases, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rachel Sutherland
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Daisy Gibbs
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Samantha Colledge-Frisby
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia; National Drug Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Phillip Read
- Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Kirketon Road Centre, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Amy Peacock
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Psychological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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Shu HT, Ghanem D, Covarrubias O, Elsabbagh Z, Hughes AJ, Sotsky RB, Conway JD, Ferguson J, Osgood GM, Shafiq B. Poor Outcomes of Girdlestone Resection Arthroplasty in Injection Drug Users: A Retrospective Study. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:782. [PMID: 39200082 PMCID: PMC11352147 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13080782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2024] [Revised: 08/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
This retrospective cohort study aims to investigate the clinical outcomes of Girdlestone resection arthroplasty (GRA) in injection drug users with septic hip arthritis. Patients who underwent primary GRA for septic hip arthritis secondary to injection drug use at two academic trauma centers from 2015 to 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. Patient demographics, surgical details, and follow-up outcomes, including patient-reported outcome measures, were collected and analyzed. The cohort included 15 patients, with a mean age of 44 ± 11 years and a mean follow-up period of 25 ± 20 months. Among the 15 patients, overall mortality was 27%, and only 4 patients underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) following GRA. Infection resolution rates were significantly higher in patients who received an antibiotic spacer (75% vs. 0%, p = 0.048). GRA in injection drug users is associated with high mortality and low conversion rates to THA. The use of an antibiotic spacer during GRA significantly improves infection resolution rates. Larger studies are required to determine the optimal management strategies for this patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry T. Shu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (D.G.); (O.C.); (Z.E.); (G.M.O.); (B.S.)
| | - Diane Ghanem
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (D.G.); (O.C.); (Z.E.); (G.M.O.); (B.S.)
| | - Oscar Covarrubias
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (D.G.); (O.C.); (Z.E.); (G.M.O.); (B.S.)
| | - Zaid Elsabbagh
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (D.G.); (O.C.); (Z.E.); (G.M.O.); (B.S.)
| | - Alice J. Hughes
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA; (A.J.H.); (R.B.S.)
| | - Rachel B. Sotsky
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA; (A.J.H.); (R.B.S.)
| | - Janet D. Conway
- International Center for Limb Lengthening, Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopaedics, Sinai Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21215, USA;
| | - Jamie Ferguson
- Bone Infection Unit, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Oxford University Hospitals, Oxford OX3 7LD, UK;
| | - Greg M. Osgood
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (D.G.); (O.C.); (Z.E.); (G.M.O.); (B.S.)
| | - Babar Shafiq
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (D.G.); (O.C.); (Z.E.); (G.M.O.); (B.S.)
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Padi A, Pericot-Valverde I, Heo M, Dotherow JE, Niu J, Martin M, Norton BL, Akiyama MJ, Arnsten JH, Litwin AH. Distrust in the Health Care System and Adherence to Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapy among People with Hepatitis C Virus Who Inject Drugs. Viruses 2024; 16:1304. [PMID: 39205278 PMCID: PMC11359142 DOI: 10.3390/v16081304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
This study is a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial (October 2013-April 2017) involving 150 People Who Inject Drugs (PWIDs) with hepatitis C virus (HCV) seen in opioid agonist treatment programs in the Bronx, New York, and investigates the impact of distrust in the healthcare system on adherence to Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAAs) HCV treatment therapy among PWIDs. The distrust was scaled on a 9-item instrument and the adherence to DAA medications was measured using electronic blister packs. This study demonstrated a significant inverse relationship between levels of distrust and medication adherence: 71.8 ± 2.2% (se) vs. 77.9 ± 1.8%, p = 0.024 between participants with higher and lower distrust levels. Despite the absence of significant association of distrust with sociodemographic or substance use characteristics, these findings suggest that building trust within the healthcare system is paramount for improving adherence to DAAs among PWIDs. The results call for a healthcare approach that emphasizes trust-building through patient-centered care, sensitivity training, peer support, and health system reform to effectively address the treatment needs of this marginalized population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akhila Padi
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA;
| | - Irene Pericot-Valverde
- Department of Psychology, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA;
- Addiction Medicine Center, Department of Medicine, Prisma Health, Greenville, SC 29605, USA
| | - Moonseong Heo
- Department of Public Health Science, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA; (M.H.); (J.E.D.)
| | - James Edward Dotherow
- Department of Public Health Science, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA; (M.H.); (J.E.D.)
| | - Jiajing Niu
- School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA;
| | - Madhuri Martin
- Department of Medicine, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Greenville, SC 29615, USA;
| | - Brianna L. Norton
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; (B.L.N.); (J.H.A.)
| | - Matthew J. Akiyama
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; (B.L.N.); (J.H.A.)
| | - Julia H. Arnsten
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; (B.L.N.); (J.H.A.)
| | - Alain H. Litwin
- Department of Psychology, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA;
- Addiction Medicine Center, Department of Medicine, Prisma Health, Greenville, SC 29605, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Greenville, SC 29615, USA;
- Department of Medicine, Prisma Health, 605 Grove Road, Suite 205, Greenville, SC 29605, USA
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10
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Karandinos G, Unick J, Ondocsin J, Holm N, Mars S, Montero F, Rosenblum D, Ciccarone D. Decrease in injection and rise in smoking and snorting of heroin and synthetic opioids, 2000-2021. Drug Alcohol Depend 2024; 263:111419. [PMID: 39216201 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.111419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Injecting, smoking, and snorting heroin/synthetic opioids is each associated with unique health risks. It is unclear how route of administration (ROA) preferences have shifted during the opioid epidemic. METHODS Using 2000-2021 admissions data from SAMHSA TEDS-A, we analyzed trends in heroin/synthetic opioid ROA preferences and factors associated with these preferences. RESULTS 7,881,318 heroin/synthetic opioid admissions reported injection, smoking, or snorting preference. Nationally, injection peaked in 2014 (69.9 %) and nadired in 2021(52.2 %), snorting nadired in 2014 (24.9 %) and peaked in 2021 (36.4 %), and smoking rose steadily from 2.5 % in 2005 to a peak of 11.4 % in 2021. From 2000-2021, the number of states with ≥10 % smoking rates grew from 2 to 27 (highest: 57.0 % in Arizona in 2021). In 2021, increased adjusted prevalence ratios (APR) of non-injection versus injection use were associated with older age at first opioid use (APR 1.52 [95 % CI: 1.51, 1.54] for those 30+ relative to ≤20), and all race/ethnicities relative to non-Latino White individuals (highest: Black individuals, APR 1.77 [1.75, 1.78]). Geography strongly predicted smoking versus snorting (Mountain APR 6.91 [6.64, 7.19], Pacific APR 6.61 [6.35, 6.88], reference: New England). CONCLUSIONS ROA preferences of heroin/synthetic opioids have changed substantially since 2000, with: 1) recent decreases in injection nationally; 2) increased smoking, particularly in the western US; and, 3) recent increased snorting in the eastern US. Smoking is now prevalent and growing. Public health implications include an increasing number of smoking-related fatal overdoses and the probable reduction of injection-specific morbidity and increase in smoking-specific morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Karandinos
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 100 Cambridge St., Suite 1600, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Jay Unick
- University of Maryland, School of Social Work, 525 W Redwood St, Baltimore, MD 20201, USA.
| | - Jeff Ondocsin
- Family and Community Medicine, University of California San Francisco, 490 Illinois Street, Box 0900, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
| | - Nicole Holm
- Family and Community Medicine, University of California San Francisco, 490 Illinois Street, Box 0900, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
| | - Sarah Mars
- Family and Community Medicine, University of California San Francisco, 490 Illinois Street, Box 0900, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
| | - Fernando Montero
- HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies and Social Intervention Group (SIG), Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Daniel Rosenblum
- Department of Economics, Dalhousie University, 6214 University Avenue, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada.
| | - Daniel Ciccarone
- Family and Community Medicine, University of California San Francisco, 490 Illinois Street, Box 0900, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
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11
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Tran LT, Wardle H, Colledge-Frisby S, Taylor S, Lynch M, Rehm J, Volberg R, Marionneau V, Saxena S, Bunn C, Farrell M, Degenhardt L. The prevalence of gambling and problematic gambling: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Public Health 2024; 9:e594-e613. [PMID: 39025095 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-2667(24)00126-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gambling behaviours have become of increased public health interest, but data on prevalence remain scarce. In this study, we aimed to estimate for adults and adolescents the prevalence of any gambling activity, the prevalence of engaging in specific gambling activities, the prevalence of any risk gambling and problematic gambling, and the prevalence of any risk and problematic gambling by gambling activity. METHODS We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis. We systematically searched for peer-reviewed literature (on MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycInfo) and grey literature to identify papers published between Jan 1, 2010, and March 4, 2024. We searched for any gambling, including engagement with individual gambling activities, and problematic gambling data among adults and adolescents. We included papers that reported the prevalence or proportion of a gambling outcome of interest. We excluded papers of non-original data or based on a biased sample. Data were extracted into a bespoke Microsoft Access database, with the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tool used to identify the risk of bias for each sample. Representative population survey estimates were firstly meta-analysed into country-level prevalence estimates, using metaprop, of any gambling, any risk gambling, problematic gambling, and by gambling activity. Secondly, population-weighted regional-level and global estimates were generated for any gambling, any risk gambling, problematic gambling, and specific gambling activity. This review is registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021251835). FINDINGS We screened 3692 reports, with 380 representative unique samples, in 68 countries and territories. Overall, the included samples consisted of slightly more men or male individuals, with a mean age of 29·72 years, and most samples identified were from high-income countries. Of these samples, 366 were included in the meta-analysis. Globally, 46·2% (95% CI 41·7-50·8) of adults and 17·9% (14·8-21·2) of adolescents had gambled in the past 12 months. Rates of gambling were higher among men (49·1%; 45·5-52·6) than women (37·4%; 32·0-42·5). Among adults, 8·7% (6·6-11·3) were classified as engaging in any risk gambling, and 1·41% (1·06-1·84) were engaging in problematic gambling. Among adults, rates of problematic gambling were greatest among online casino or slots gambling (15·8%; 10·7-21·6). There were few data reported on any risk and problematic gambling among adolescent samples. INTERPRETATION Existing evidence suggests that gambling is prevalent globally, that a substantial proportion of the population engage in problematic gambling, and that rates of problematic gambling are greatest among those gambling on online formats. Given the growth of the online gambling industry and the association between gambling and a range of public health harms, governments need to give greater attention to the strict regulation and monitoring of gambling globally. FUNDING Australian National Health and Medical Research Council.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy T Tran
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Heather Wardle
- School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - Samantha Colledge-Frisby
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; National Drug Research Institute Melbourne, Curtin University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Sophia Taylor
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michelle Lynch
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jürgen Rehm
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rachel Volberg
- School of Public Health and Health Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Virve Marionneau
- Centre for Research on Addiction, Control, and Governance, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Shekhar Saxena
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christopher Bunn
- School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - Michael Farrell
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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12
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Roussos S, Bagos C, Angelopoulos T, Chaikalis S, Cholongitas E, Savvanis S, Papadopoulos N, Kapatais A, Chounta A, Ioannidou P, Deutsch M, Manolakopoulos S, Sevastianos V, Papageorgiou MV, Vlachogiannakos I, Mela M, Elefsiniotis I, Vrakas S, Karagiannakis D, Pliarchopoulou F, Psichogiou M, Paraskevis D, Vickerman P, Malliori M, Kalamitsis G, Papatheodoridis G, Hatzakis A, Sypsa V. Incidence of primary hepatitis C infection among people who inject drugs during 2012-2020 in Athens, Greece. J Viral Hepat 2024; 31:466-476. [PMID: 38742938 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
One of the World Health Organization's targets for the 2030 viral hepatitis elimination strategy is to reduce new hepatitis C (HCV) infections. In Athens, Greece, people who inject drugs (PWID) have a high HCV prevalence, with increasing trends since the 2000s. This analysis aims to assess primary HCV incidence among PWID during 2012-2020. Two community-based interventions were implemented in 2012-2013 and 2018-2020 with repeated sero-behavioural surveys in each period. Participants enrolled in multiple surveys were identified through linkage. To assess trends in HCV transmission, three indicators were estimated: (i) anti-HCV prevalence among 'new' injectors (those injecting ≤2 years), (ii) indirect HCV incidence among 'new' injectors, assuming infection occurred at the midpoint between initiating injection and the first positive test, and (iii) HCV incidence from repeat participants. There were 431 and 125 'new' injectors, respectively, in 2012-2013 and 2018-2020. Αnti-HCV prevalence [95% CI] declined from 53.6% [48.8%, 58.3%] in 2012-2013 to 40.0% [31.3, 49.1%] in 2018-2020 (25.4% reduction, p = .007). The indirect estimate [95% CI] of HCV incidence among 'new' injectors decreased from 56.1 [49.3, 63.8] to 39.0/100 person-years (PYs) [29.6, 51.5] (30.5% reduction, p = .020). HCV incidence [95% CI] based on seroconversions in repeat participants (16/63 in 2012-2013 and 9/55 in 2018-2020) declined from 64.6 [39.6105.4] to 13.8/100 PYs [7.2, 26.5], respectively (78.6% reduction, p < .001). Primary HCV incidence remains high among PWID in Athens. Consistent implementation of combined interventions, including high-coverage harm reduction programs and initiatives tailored to increase access to HCV treatment, is essential to sustain the declining trends documented during 2012-2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sotirios Roussos
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Theodoros Angelopoulos
- Gastroenterology Department, General Hospital of Athens Korgialeneio - Mpenakeio Hellenic Red Cross, Athens, Greece
| | - Savvas Chaikalis
- Hellenic Scientific Society for the Study of AIDS, Sexually Transmitted and Emerging Diseases, Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelos Cholongitas
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Laiko General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Spyridon Savvanis
- Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital of Athens "Elpis", Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Papadopoulos
- 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, 401 General Army Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Andreas Kapatais
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, Western Attica General Hospital "Agia Varvara", Athens, Greece
| | - Athina Chounta
- 4th Department of Internal Medicine, General University Hospital "Attikon", Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiota Ioannidou
- Academic Department of Gastroenterology, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, General Hospital of Athens "Laiko", Athens, Greece
| | - Melani Deutsch
- 2nd Academic Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Spilios Manolakopoulos
- 2nd Academic Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Maria-Vasiliki Papageorgiou
- Academic Department of Gastroenterology, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, General Hospital of Athens "Laiko", Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Vlachogiannakos
- Academic Department of Gastroenterology, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, General Hospital of Athens "Laiko", Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Mela
- Department of Gastroenterology, Evangelismos General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Elefsiniotis
- Department of Internal Medicine-Hepatogastroenterology, "Agioi Anargyroi" General and Oncology Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Spyridon Vrakas
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tzaneion General Hospital of Piraeus, Piraeus, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Karagiannakis
- Academic Department of Gastroenterology, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, General Hospital of Athens "Laiko", Athens, Greece
| | - Fani Pliarchopoulou
- 4th Department of Internal Medicine, General University Hospital "Attikon", Athens, Greece
| | - Mina Psichogiou
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Laiko General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Paraskevis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Peter Vickerman
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Meni Malliori
- Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Georgios Papatheodoridis
- Academic Department of Gastroenterology, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, General Hospital of Athens "Laiko", Athens, Greece
| | - Angelos Hatzakis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Hellenic Scientific Society for the Study of AIDS, Sexually Transmitted and Emerging Diseases, Athens, Greece
| | - Vana Sypsa
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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13
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Markoulidakis A, Hickman M, McAuley A, Barnsdale LR, Welton NJ, Glancy M, Shivaji T, Collins C, Lang J, de Wit F, Hunt G, Wilkinson L, Fraser R, Yeung A, Horsburgh K, Priyadarshi S, Hutchinson SJ, Jones HE. Prevalence of opioid dependence in Scotland 2015-2020: A multi-parameter estimation of prevalence (MPEP) study. Addiction 2024; 119:1410-1420. [PMID: 38631671 DOI: 10.1111/add.16500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Drug-related deaths in Scotland more than doubled between 2011 and 2020. To inform policymakers and understand drivers of this increase, we estimated the number of people with opioid dependence aged 15-64 from 2014/15 to 2019/20. DESIGN We fitted a Bayesian multi-parameter estimation of prevalence (MPEP) model, using adverse event rates to estimate prevalence of opioid dependence jointly from Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT), opioid-related mortality and hospital admissions data. Estimates are stratified by age group, sex and year. SETTING Scotland, 2014/15 to 2019/20. PARTICIPANTS People with opioid dependence and potential to benefit from OAT, whether ever treated or not. Using data from the Scottish Public Health Drug Linkage Programme, we identified a baseline cohort of individuals who had received OAT within the last 5 years, and all opioid-related deaths and hospital admissions (whether among or outside of this cohort). MEASUREMENTS Rates of each adverse event type and (unobserved) prevalence were jointly modelled. FINDINGS The estimated number and prevalence of people with opioid dependence in Scotland in 2019/20 was 47 100 (95% Credible Interval [CrI] 45 700 to 48 600) and 1.32% (95% CrI 1.28% to 1.37%). Of these, 61% received OAT during 2019/20. Prevalence in Greater Glasgow and Clyde was estimated as 1.77% (95% CrI 1.69% to 1.85%). There was weak evidence that overall prevalence fell slightly from 2014/15 (change -0.07%, 95% CrI -0.14% to 0.00%). The population of people with opioid dependence is ageing, with the estimated number of people aged 15-34 reducing by 5100 (95% CrI 3800 to 6400) and number aged 50-64 increasing by 2800 (95% CrI 2100 to 3500) between 2014/15 and 2019/20. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of opioid dependence in Scotland remained high but was relatively stable, with only weak evidence of a small reduction, between 2014/15 and 2019/20. Increased numbers of opioid-related deaths can be attributed to increased risk among people with opioid dependence, rather than increasing prevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Markoulidakis
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Public Health Scotland, UK
| | - Matthew Hickman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Andrew McAuley
- Public Health Scotland, UK
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Nicky J Welton
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Megan Glancy
- Public Health Scotland, UK
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Rosalyn Fraser
- Public Health Scotland, UK
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
| | - Alan Yeung
- Public Health Scotland, UK
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Saket Priyadarshi
- Alcohol and Drug Recovery Services, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Sharon J Hutchinson
- Public Health Scotland, UK
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
| | - Hayley E Jones
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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14
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Alamneh TS, Walker JG, Lim AG, Alam E, Hamid S, Foster GR, Choudhry N, Ansari MA, Qureshi H, Vickerman P. Changes in the prevalence of hepatitis B and C viral infections in Sindh province, Pakistan: Findings from two sero-surveys in 2007 and 2019. J Viral Hepat 2024. [PMID: 39056891 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Pakistan harbours a large burden of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We utilised repeat sero-surveys to assess progress achieved towards hepatitis elimination in Pakistan. Multilevel logistic regression evaluated the change in HBV infection (HBV surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive) prevalence and HCV exposure (HCV antibody (HCV-Ab)-positive) prevalence between two sero-surveys from 2007 and 2019 for Sindh province and associated risk factors. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were estimated and population-attributable fractions (PAF) for modifiable risk factors for HCV exposure. The 2007 and 2019 surveys included 8855 and 6672 individuals. HBsAg prevalence decreased from 2.6% (95% confidence intervals (95% CI): 2.2-2.9) in 2007 to 1.1% (95% CI: 0.8-1.3) in 2019, while HCV-Ab prevalence increased from 5.1% (95% CI: 4.6%-5.5%) to 6.2% (95% CI: 5.6%-6.8%). The age and gender-adjusted HBsAg prevalence decreased by 80% (aOR = 0.2, 95% CI: 0.1-0.4) among children and 60% (aOR = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.3-0.6) among adults over 2007-2019, while HCV-Ab prevalence decreased by 60% (aOR = 0.4, 95%CI:0.2-0.7) in children and increased by 40% (aOR = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.2-1.7) in adults. HCV-Ab prevalence was lower in adults with secondary (aOR = 0.6, 95% CI: 0.5-0.8) and higher (aOR = 0.5, 95%CI:0.3-0.8) education compared to illiterates and higher among adults reporting blood transfusion (aOR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.2-2.4), family history of hepatitis (aOR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.9-3.3), past year medical injection (aOR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.6-2.7), being tattooed (aOR = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.0-1.9) and shaved by traditional barber (aOR = 1.2, 95% CI: 1.0-1.5). Modifiable risk factors accounted for 45% of HCV exposure, with medical injection(s) accounting for 38% (95%CI,25.7-48.4%). Overall HCV has increased over 2007-2019 in Sindh province, while HBV prevalence has decreased. Medical injections should be an important focus of prevention activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tesfa Sewunet Alamneh
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Josephine G Walker
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Aaron G Lim
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Ejaz Alam
- Pakistan Health Research Council Research Centre, Karachi, Pakistan
| | | | | | | | - M Azim Ansari
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Peter Vickerman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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15
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Allen LI, Fraser H, Stone J, McAuley A, Trayner KMA, Metcalfe R, Peters SE, Hutchinson SJ, Vickerman P, Hickman M. Testing and Treatment Interventions in Community Settings Key to Controlling a Recent Human Immunodeficiency Virus Outbreak Among People Who Inject Drugs in Glasgow: A Modeling Study. J Infect Dis 2024; 230:e48-e59. [PMID: 39052745 PMCID: PMC11272080 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiae206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) outbreak was identified among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Glasgow in 2015, with >150 diagnoses by the end of 2019. The outbreak response involved scaling up HIV testing and improving HIV treatment initiation and retention. METHODS We parameterized and calibrated a dynamic, deterministic model of HIV transmission among PWID in Glasgow to epidemiological data. We use this model to evaluate HIV testing and treatment interventions. We present results in terms of relative changes in HIV prevalence, incidence, and cases averted. RESULTS If the improvements in both testing and treatment had not occurred, we predict that HIV prevalence would have reached 17.8% (95% credible interval [CrI], 14.1%-22.6%) by the beginning of 2020, compared to 5.9% (95% CrI, 4.7%-7.4%) with the improvements. If the improvements had been made on detection of the outbreak in 2015, we predict that peak incidence would have been 26.2% (95% CrI, 8.8%-49.3%) lower and 62.7% (95% CrI, 43.6%-76.6%) of the outbreak cases could have been averted. The outbreak could have been avoided if the improvements had already been in place. CONCLUSIONS Our modeling suggests that the HIV testing and treatment interventions successfully brought the HIV outbreak in Glasgow under control by the beginning of 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara I Allen
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol
- Clinical and Protecting Health Directorate, Public Health Scotland
| | - Hannah Fraser
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol
| | - Jack Stone
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol
| | - Andrew McAuley
- Clinical and Protecting Health Directorate, Public Health Scotland
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University
| | - Kirsten M A Trayner
- Clinical and Protecting Health Directorate, Public Health Scotland
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University
| | - Rebecca Metcalfe
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University
- Sandyford Sexual Health Service, National Health Service Greater Glasgow and Clyde
| | - S Erica Peters
- Brownlee Centre for Infectious Diseases, National Health Service Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Sharon J Hutchinson
- Clinical and Protecting Health Directorate, Public Health Scotland
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University
| | - Peter Vickerman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol
| | - Matthew Hickman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol
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Gaitán-Cepeda LA, Castillo-Martínez NA, Villanueva-Vilchis MDC, Chávez-Méndez JR, Peralta-Alegría ÁG, Ferré-Soto JP, Rivera-Reza DI. Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in an Institutionalized Population with HIV+/AIDS in the Northern Region of Mexico. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:1352. [PMID: 38998886 PMCID: PMC11241122 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12131352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Approximately 39 million people worldwide live with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and antiretroviral therapy (ART) has improved life expectancy for these individuals, with quality of life (QoL) being a crucial aspect. However, there is limited information on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) for institutionalized patients with HIV. This study used a cross-sectional design and included 43 residents of a non-governmental institution who had a confirmed HIV diagnosis and a history of intravenous drug use. The Spanish version of the Oral Health Index Profile-14 (OHIPsp) was used to assess the OHRQoL, with the 50th percentile serving as the cutoff for good or poor quality of life. All 43 patients had one or more oral lesions, with 44.1% having AIDS-related oral lesions (AROLs). Over half of the participants (48.8%) reported a poor OHRQoL, and females experienced worse quality of life in all dimensions compared to males. Subjects with AROLs were three times more likely to have poor OHRQoL than those without AROLs (p = 0.03; OR = 3.1 IC 1.04-9.6). These results highlight the need for a comprehensive treatment plan for patients with HIV that includes oral health, particularly for women living in precarious conditions or who are institutionalized. Improving oral health can significantly enhance quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Alberto Gaitán-Cepeda
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine and Pathology, Research and Graduate Division, Dental School, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | | | | | - José Román Chávez-Méndez
- Microbiology Laboratory, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Tijuana 21100, Mexico
| | - Ángel Gastón Peralta-Alegría
- Microbiology Laboratory, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Tijuana 21100, Mexico
| | - Jaime Paúl Ferré-Soto
- Microbiology Laboratory, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Tijuana 21100, Mexico
| | - Diana Ivette Rivera-Reza
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine and Pathology, Research and Graduate Division, Dental School, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
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Ryan P, Valencia J, Cuevas G, Amigot-Sanchez R, Martínez I, Lazarus JV, Pérez-García F, Resino S. Decrease in active hepatitis C infection among people who use drugs in Madrid, Spain, 2017 to 2023: a retrospective study. Euro Surveill 2024; 29:2300712. [PMID: 39027941 PMCID: PMC11258947 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2024.29.29.2300712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BackgroundPeople who use drugs (PWUD) are a key target population to reduce the burden of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.AimTo assess risk factors and temporal trends of active HCV infection in PWUD in Madrid, Spain.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study between 2017 and 2023, including 2,264 PWUD visiting a mobile screening unit. Data about epidemiology, substance use and sexual risk behaviour were obtained through a 92-item questionnaire. HCV was detected by antibody test, followed by RNA test. The primary outcome variable was active HCV infection prevalence, calculated considering all individuals who underwent RNA testing and analysed by logistic regression adjusted by the main risk factors.ResultsOf all participants, 685 tested positive for anti-HCV antibodies, and 605 underwent RNA testing; 314 had active HCV infection, and 218 initiated treatment. People who inject drugs (PWID) were identified as the main risk group. The active HCV infection rate showed a significant downward trend between 2017 and 2023 in the entire study population (23.4% to 6.0%), among PWID (41.0% to 15.0%) and PWUD without injecting drug use (7.0% to 1.3%) (p < 0.001 for all). These downward trends were confirmed by adjusted logistic regression for the entire study population (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 0.78), PWID (aOR: 0.78), and PWUD non-IDU (aOR: 0.78).ConclusionsOur study demonstrates a significant reduction in active HCV infection prevalence among PWUD, particularly in PWID, which suggests that efforts in the prevention and treatment of HCV in Madrid, Spain, have had an impact on the control of HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Ryan
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor, Madrid, Spain
- Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorge Valencia
- Unidad de Reducción de Daños 'SMASD', Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Rafael Amigot-Sanchez
- Unidad de Infección e Viral e Inmunidad, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isidoro Martínez
- Unidad de Infección e Viral e Inmunidad, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jeffrey V Lazarus
- CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH), New York, United States
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Felipe Pérez-García
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Servicio de Microbiología Clínica, Hospital Universitario Príncipe de Asturias, Madrid, Spain
- Universidad de Alcalá, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Biomedicina y Biotecnología, Madrid, Spain
| | - Salvador Resino
- Unidad de Infección e Viral e Inmunidad, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Samartsidis P, Harris RJ, Dillon J, Desai M, Foster GR, Gunson R, Ijaz S, Mandal S, McAuley A, Palmateer N, Presanis AM, Simmons R, Smith S, Thorne B, Yeung A, Zaouche M, Hutchinson S, Hickman M, Angelis DD. Evaluating the effect of direct-acting antiviral agent treatment scale-up on Hepatitis C virus prevalence among people who inject drugs in UK. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2024:104429. [PMID: 38942687 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is limited empirical work assessing the effectiveness of treatment as prevention (TasP) in reducing HCV prevalence among people who inject drugs (PWID). Here, we used survey data from the UK during 2010-2020, to evaluate the impact of direct-acting antiviral agent (DAA) treatment scale-up, which started in 2015, on HCV prevalence among PWID. METHODS We fitted a logistic regression to time/location specific data on prevalence from the Needle Exchange Surveillance Initiative in Scotland and Unlinked Anonymous Monitoring programme in England. For each post-intervention year and location, we quantified the effect of TasP as the difference between estimated prevalence and its counterfactual (prevalence in the absence of scale-up). Progress to elimination was assessed by comparing most recent prevalence against one in 2015. RESULTS In 2015, prevalence ranged from 0.44 to 0.71 across the 23 locations (3 Scottish, 20 English). Compared to counterfactuals, there was an absolute reduction of 46% (95% credible interval [32%,59%]) in Tayside in 2020, 35% ([24%,44%]) in Glasgow in 2019, and 25% ([10%,39%]) in the Rest of Scotland in 2020. The English sites with highest estimated absolute reductions in 2021 were South Yorkshire (45%, [29%,58%]), Thames Valley (49%, [34%,59%]) and West London (41%, [14%,59%]). Compared to 2015, there was 80% probability that prevalence had fallen by 65% in Tayside, 53% in Glasgow and 36% in the Rest of Scotland. The English sites with highest % prevalence decrease compared to 2015, achieved with probability 80%, were Chesire & Merseyside (70%), South Yorkshire (65%) and Thames Valley (71%). Higher treatment intensity was associated with higher reductions in prevalence. CONCLUSION Conclusion. Real-world evidence showing substantial reductions in chronic HCV associated with increase of HCV treatment scale-up in the community thus supporting the effectiveness of HCV treatmen as prevention in people who inject drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Rory Gunson
- West of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Andrew McAuley
- Public Health Scotland, United Kingdom; Glasgow Caledonian University, United Kingdom
| | - Norah Palmateer
- Public Health Scotland, United Kingdom; Glasgow Caledonian University, United Kingdom
| | - Anne M Presanis
- MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Shanley Smith
- Public Health Scotland, United Kingdom; Glasgow Caledonian University, United Kingdom
| | | | - Alan Yeung
- Public Health Scotland, United Kingdom; Glasgow Caledonian University, United Kingdom
| | - Mounia Zaouche
- MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Sharon Hutchinson
- Public Health Scotland, United Kingdom; Glasgow Caledonian University, United Kingdom
| | | | - Daniela De Angelis
- MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom; UK Health Security Agency, United Kingdom
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Fontaine G, Presseau J, Bruneau J, Etherington C, Thomas IM, Hung JHC, van Allen Z, Patey AM, Kareem A, Mortazhejri S, Høj SB, Boyer-Legault G, Grimshaw JM. Using an intersectionality lens to explore barriers and enablers to hepatitis C point-of-care testing: a qualitative study among people who inject drugs and service providers. Int J Equity Health 2024; 23:124. [PMID: 38886803 PMCID: PMC11184812 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-024-02209-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant global health burden, particularly among people who inject drugs. Rapid point-of-care HCV testing has emerged as a promising approach to improve HCV detection and linkage to care in harm reduction organizations such as needle and syringe programs. The objective of this study was to use an intersectionality lens to explore the barriers and enablers to point-of-care HCV testing in a needle and syringe program. METHODS A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with clients (people who inject drugs) and service providers in a large community organization focused on the prevention of sexually transmitted and blood borne infections and harm reduction in Montreal, Canada. An intersectionality lens was used alongside the Theoretical Domains Framework to guide the formulation of research questions as well as data collection, analysis, and interpretation. RESULTS We interviewed 27 participants (15 clients, 12 providers). For clients, four themes emerged: (1) understanding and perceptions of HCV testing, (2) the role of an accessible and inclusive environment, (3) the interplay of emotions and motivations in decision-making, and (4) the impact of intersectional stigma related to HCV, behaviors, and identities. For providers, five themes emerged: (1) knowledge, skills, and confidence for HCV testing, (2) professional roles and their intersection with identity and lived experience, (3) resources and integration of services, (4) social and emotional factors, and (5) behavioral regulation and incentives for HCV testing. Intersectional stigma amplified access, emotional and informational barriers to HCV care for clients. In contrast, identity and lived experience acted as powerful enablers for providers in the provision of HCV care. CONCLUSION The application of an intersectionality lens provides a nuanced understanding of multilevel barriers and enablers to point-of-care HCV testing. Findings underscore the need for tailored strategies that address stigma, improve provider roles and communication, and foster an inclusive environment for equitable HCV care. Using an intersectionality lens in implementation research can offer valuable insights, guiding the design of equity-focused implementation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Fontaine
- Centre for Implementation Research, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada.
- Ingram School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, 680 Rue Sherbrooke O #1800, Montréal, QC, H3A 2M7, Canada.
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Sir Mortimer B. Davis Jewish General Hospital, CIUSSS West-Central Montreal, 3755 Chem. de La Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC, H3T 1E2, Canada.
- Viral Hepatitis Clinical Research Program, Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, UNSW, Wallace Wurth Building (C27), Cnr High St & Botany St, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia.
| | - Justin Presseau
- Centre for Implementation Research, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, 600 Peter Morand Crescent, Ottawa, ON, K1G 5Z3, Canada
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier, Vanier Hall, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Julie Bruneau
- Research Centre, Université de Montréal Hospital Centre, 900 Saint Denis St, Montreal, QC, H2X 0A9, Canada
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Université de Montréal, 2900, Boulevard Édouard-Montpetit, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Cole Etherington
- Centre for Implementation Research, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Isabella M Thomas
- Centre for Implementation Research, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Jui-Hsia Cleo Hung
- Centre for Implementation Research, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, 600 Peter Morand Crescent, Ottawa, ON, K1G 5Z3, Canada
| | - Zack van Allen
- Centre for Implementation Research, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier, Vanier Hall, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Andrea M Patey
- Centre for Implementation Research, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, 600 Peter Morand Crescent, Ottawa, ON, K1G 5Z3, Canada
- School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen's University, Louise D Acton Building, 31 George St, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Ayesha Kareem
- Centre for Implementation Research, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Sameh Mortazhejri
- Centre for Implementation Research, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, 600 Peter Morand Crescent, Ottawa, ON, K1G 5Z3, Canada
| | - Stine Bordier Høj
- Research Centre, Université de Montréal Hospital Centre, 900 Saint Denis St, Montreal, QC, H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Geneviève Boyer-Legault
- Direction of Community Services, CACTUS Montréal, 1300 Rue Sanguinet, Montréal, QC, H2X 3E7, Canada
| | - Jeremy M Grimshaw
- Centre for Implementation Research, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, 600 Peter Morand Crescent, Ottawa, ON, K1G 5Z3, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 45 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H8M5, Canada
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Fraser H, Stone J, Facente SN, Artenie A, Patel S, Wilson EC, McFarland W, Page K, Vickerman P, Morris MD. Modeling the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on achieving HCV elimination amongst young and unstably housed people who inject drugs in San Francisco. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2024:104452. [PMID: 38910096 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Young adult (18-30 years) people who inject drugs (PWID) face high hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence. In San Francisco, where >60% of PWID lack stable housing, barriers hinder HCV treatment access. We assessed progress towards the World Health Organization's (WHO) HCV elimination goal of an 80% reduction in incidence over 2015-2030, focusing on young (YPWID) and unstably housed PWID in San Francisco. METHODS We developed a dynamic HCV transmission model among PWID, parameterized and calibrated using bio-behavioural survey datasets from San Francisco. This included 2018 estimates for the antibody-prevalence among PWID (77%) and care cascade estimates for HCV for YPWID (72% aware of their status and 33% ever initiating treatment). Based on programmatic data, we assumed a 53.8% reduction in testing and 40.7% decrease in treatment from 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which partially rebounded from April 2021 with testing rates then being 31.1% lower than pre-pandemic rates and treatment numbers being 19.5% lower. We simulated different scenarios of how services changed after the pandemic to project whether elimination goals would be met. RESULTS Continuing post-pandemic rates of testing and treatment, the model projects an 83.3% (95% credibility interval [95% CrI]:60.6-96.9%) decrease in incidence among PWID over 2015-2030 to 1.5/100pyrs (95% CrI:0.3-4.4) in 2030. The probability of achieving the elimination goal by 2030 is 62.0%. Among YPWID and unstably housed PWID, the probability of achieving the elimination goal by 2030 is 54.8 and 67.6%, respectively. Importantly, further increasing testing and treatment rates to pre-pandemic levels by 2025 only results in a small increase in the probability (67.5%) of the elimination goal being achieved among all PWID by 2030, while increased coverage of medication for opioid use disorder among YPWID and/or housing interventions results in the probability of achieving elimination increasing to over 75%. CONCLUSION The COVID-19 pandemic impeded progress toward achieving HCV elimination. Our findings indicate that existing partial rebounds in HCV testing and treatment may achieve the elimination goal by 2030, with an additional scale-up of interventions aimed at YPWID or unstably housed PWID ensuring San Francisco is likely to achieve elimination by 2030.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Fraser
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, UK
| | - Jack Stone
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, UK
| | - Shelley N Facente
- School of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, USA; Facente Consulting, Richmond, USA
| | - Adelina Artenie
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, UK
| | - Sheena Patel
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, USA
| | - Erin C Wilson
- San Francisco Department of Public Health, San Francisco, USA
| | - Willi McFarland
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, USA; San Francisco Department of Public Health, San Francisco, USA
| | - Kimberly Page
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, University of New Mexico, USA
| | - Peter Vickerman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, UK.
| | - Meghan D Morris
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, USA
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Mudiope P, Mathers B, Nangendo J, Samuel M, Mutamba BB, Alamo S, Nanyenya N, Makumbi F, Laker-Oketta M, Wanyenze R. Characterising People who inject drugs, and association with HIV infection: A Situation Analysis in Kampala city, Uganda. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.05.31.24308282. [PMID: 38853844 PMCID: PMC11160897 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.31.24308282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Background Uganda has implemented targeted interventions to address the rising burden of injection drug use, yet barriers persist in reaching persons who inject drugs (PWID). This study describes the characteristics of people who inject drugs, physical and mental health states, and associated risk behaviors, to inform the designing of programs that are tailored to client's needs and preferences. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted between August and December 2023 at selected hotspots in Kampala, interviewing 499 PWID aged ≥18 years. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire administered by peer educators and Uganda Harm Reduction Network (UHRN) counselors. Measurements included socio-demographics, injecting drug use and sexual risk behaviors, and medical history. HIV serostatus was dtermined by self-report and testing for participants who had no recent history of testing and consented to be tested. Binary logistic regression was used to establish the relationship between HIV infection and risky drug- and sexual behaviors of PWID. Results Participants were predominantly Ugandan (95.2%), male (73.2%), unmarried (55.9%), unemployed (81.8%), with higher levels of education and varying ages. Mental disorders were prevalent, with 48.7% reporting at least one underlying condition, including depression (30.8%) and anxiety (9.6%). Physical health issues were also noted, with reported cases of fever (32.9%), cough (32.5%), malaria (22%) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (15%).Regarding drug use patterns, the majority (82.6%) were introduced to drugs by close acquaintances, with 70.9% categorized as people who inject drugs. HIV prevalence among injecting drug users was 3.7%, with higher rates among females (8.4%) and non-Ugandans (16.7%). Being female and experiencing difficulty accessing sterile injection materials were associated with HIV-positive status, highlighting the complex interplay between socio-demographic factors, risk behaviors, and HIV infection among individuals with injecting drug use Disorder in Uganda. Conclusion Our study provides a comprehensive insight into the socio-demographic, mental, physical health, and HIV risk behavoir of PWID in Kampala, Uganda. The findings indicate significant vulnerabilities to injecting drug use, mental disorders, and high-risk behaviors that predispose this population to HIV infection. Despite a low HIV prevalence compared to previous estimates, the interplay between drug use, risky injecting practices, and sexual behaviors suggests an urgent need for targeted interventions to address these intertwined challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Mudiope
- Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala Uganda
| | - Bradley Mathers
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programms, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Joanita Nangendo
- School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Mutyaba Samuel
- Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala Uganda
| | | | - Stella Alamo
- United States of America Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | | | - Miriam Laker-Oketta
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Rhoda Wanyenze
- Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala Uganda
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22
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Santo T, Gisev N, Campbell G, Colledge-Frisby S, Wilson J, Tran LT, Lynch M, Martino-Burke D, Taylor S, Degenhardt L. Prevalence of comorbid substance use disorders among people with opioid use disorder: A systematic review & meta-analysis. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2024; 128:104434. [PMID: 38677160 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Comorbid substance use disorders (SUDs) among people with opioid use disorder (OUD) contribute to poor clinical outcomes, including overdose and mortality. We present the first systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence of specific non-opioid SUDs among people with OUD. METHODS We searched Embase, PsycINFO, and MEDLINE from 1990 to 2022 for studies that used Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) or International Classification of Diseases (ICD) criteria to assess the prevalence of non-opioid SUDs among individuals with OUD. We used random-effects meta-analyses with 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) to pool current and lifetime prevalence estimates separately. Meta-regressions and stratified meta-analyses were used to examine differences in prevalence estimates by sample characteristics and methodological factors. RESULTS Of the 36,971 publications identified, we included data from 194 studies and 77,212 participants with OUD. The prevalence of any comorbid SUD among people with OUD was 59.5% (95%CI 49.1-69.5%) for current non-opioid SUDs, with 72.0% (95%CI 52.5-87.9%) experiencing a comorbid SUD in their lifetime. Of the studies that examined current comorbid SUDs, cocaine use disorder (30.5%, 95%CI 23.0-38.7%) was most common, followed by alcohol (27.1%, 95%CI 24.4- 30.0%), cannabis (22.7%, 95%CI 19.0-26.6%), sedative (16.1%, 95%CI 13.1-19.3%), and methamphetamine (11.4%, 95%CI 6.8-17.1%) use disorders. Substantial heterogeneity (I2>90%) across estimates was observed. Substantial heterogeneity (I2>90%) was observed across estimates, with significant variations in prevalence identified across geographic locations, recruitment settings, and other study-level factors. CONCLUSION Findings from this study emphasize the importance of comorbid SUD treatment access for people with OUD. Our estimates can inform the provision of treatment and harm reduction strategies for people with OUD and specific subpopulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Santo
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Natasa Gisev
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Gabrielle Campbell
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; School of Psychology, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Samantha Colledge-Frisby
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Melbourne, Australia; Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jack Wilson
- Matilda Centre, The University of the Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Lucy Thi Tran
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michelle Lynch
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Daniel Martino-Burke
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sophia Taylor
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Levinsson A, Zolopa C, Vakili F, Udhesister S, Kronfli N, Maheu-Giroux M, Bruneau J, Valerio H, Bajis S, Read P, Martró E, Boucher L, Morris L, Grebely J, Artenie A, Stone J, Vickerman P, Larney S. Sex and gender differences in hepatitis C virus risk, prevention, and cascade of care in people who inject drugs: systematic review and meta-analysis. EClinicalMedicine 2024; 72:102596. [PMID: 38633576 PMCID: PMC11019099 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background People who inject drugs (PWID) are a priority population in HCV elimination programming. Overcoming sex and gender disparities in HCV risk, prevention, and the cascade of care is likely to be important to achieving this goal, but these have not yet been comprehensively reviewed. Methods Systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched Pubmed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 1 January 2012-22 January 2024 for studies of any design reporting sex or gender differences among PWID in at least one of: sharing of needles and/or syringes, incarceration history, injection while incarcerated, participation in opioid agonist treatment or needle and syringe programs, HCV testing, spontaneous HCV clearance, direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment initiation or completion, and sustained virological response (SVR). Assessment of study quality was based on selected aspects of study design. Additional data were requested from study authors. Data were extracted in duplicate and meta-analysed using random effects models. PROSPERO registration CRD42022342806. Findings 9533 studies were identified and 92 studies were included. Compared to men, women were at greater risk for receptive needle and syringe sharing (past 6-12 months: risk ratio (RR) 1.12; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.23; <6 months: RR 1.38; 95% CI 1.09-1.76), less likely to be incarcerated (lifetime RR 0.64; 95% CI 0.57-0.73) more likely to be tested for HCV infection (lifetime RR 1.07; 95% CI 1.01, 1.14), more likely to spontaneously clear infection (RR1.58; 95% CI 1.40-1.79), less likely to initiate DAA treatment (0.84; 95% CI 0.78-0.90), and more likely to attain SVR after completing DAA treatment (RR 1.02; 95% CI 1.01-1.04). Interpretation There are important differences in HCV risk and cascade of care indicators among people who inject drugs that may impact the effectiveness of prevention and treatment programming. Developing and assessing the effectiveness of gender-specific and gender-responsive HCV interventions should be a priority in elimination programming. Funding Réseau SIDA-MI du Québec.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Levinsson
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Camille Zolopa
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Farzaneh Vakili
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Sasha Udhesister
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Nadine Kronfli
- Division of Infectious Disease and Chronic Viral Illness Service, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Mathieu Maheu-Giroux
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Julie Bruneau
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Heather Valerio
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sahar Bajis
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Phillip Read
- Kirketon Road Centre, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Elisa Martró
- Microbiology Department, Laboratori Clínic Metropolitana Nord, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Institut d'Investigació Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lisa Boucher
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Leith Morris
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Univerity of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Jason Grebely
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Adelina Artenie
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Jack Stone
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Vickerman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation at University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Larney
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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24
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Webb P, Ireland J, Colledge-Frisby S, Peacock A, Leung J, Vickerman P, Farrell M, Hickman M, Grebely J, Degenhardt L. Patterns of drug use among people who inject drugs: A global systematic review and meta-analysis. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2024; 128:104455. [PMID: 38796926 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A better understanding of global patterns of drug use among people who inject drugs can inform interventions to reduce harms related to different use profiles. This review aimed to comprehensively present the geographical variation in drug consumption patterns among this population. METHODS Systematic searches of peer reviewed (PsycINFO, Medline, Embase) and grey literature published from 2008-2022 were conducted. Data on recent (past year) and lifetime drug use among people who inject drugs were included. Data were extracted on use of heroin, amphetamines, cocaine, benzodiazepines, cannabis, alcohol, and tobacco; where possible, estimates were disaggregated by route of administration (injecting, non-injecting, smoking). National estimates were generated and, where possible, regional, and global estimates were derived through meta-analysis. RESULTS Of 40,427 studies screened, 394 were included from 81 countries. Globally, an estimated 78.1 % (95 %CI:70.2-84.2) and 71.8 % (65.7-77.2) of people who inject drugs had recently used (via any route) and injected heroin, while an estimated 52.8 % (47.0-59.0) and 19.8 % (13.8-26.5) had recently used and injected amphetamines, respectively. Over 90 % reported recent tobacco use (93.5 % [90.8-95.3]) and recent alcohol use was 59.1 % (52.6-65.6). In Australasia recent heroin use was lowest (49.4 % [46.8-52.1]) while recent amphetamine injecting (64.0 % [60.8-67.1]) and recent use of cannabis (72.3 % [69.9-74.6]) were higher than in all other regions. Recent heroin use (86.1 % [78.3-91.4]) and non-injecting amphetamine use (43.3 % [38.4-48.3]) were highest in East and Southeast Asia. Recent amphetamine use (75.8 % [72.7-78.8]) and injecting heroin use (84.8 % (81.4-87.8) were highest in North America while non-injecting heroin use was highest in Western Europe (45.0 % [41.3-48.7]). CONCLUSION There is considerable variation in types of drugs and routes of administration used among people who inject drugs. This variation needs to be considered in national and global treatment and harm reduction interventions to target the specific behaviours and harms associated with these regional profiles of use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paige Webb
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Jeremy Ireland
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Samantha Colledge-Frisby
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia; National Drug Research Institute (NDRI) Melbourne, Curtin University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Amy Peacock
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia; School of Psychological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Janni Leung
- National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Peter Vickerman
- Population Health Science, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, England
| | - Michael Farrell
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Matthew Hickman
- Population Health Science, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, England
| | | | - Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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25
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Trayner KMA, Yeung A, Palmateer NE, McAuley A, Wilkinson M, Craik J, Metcalfe R, Peters E, Shepherd SJ, Gunson RN, Carter D, Sills L, Hutchinson SJ. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on HIV Test Uptake Among People Who Inject Drugs in the Context of an HIV Outbreak. AIDS Behav 2024; 28:2131-2147. [PMID: 38649554 PMCID: PMC11161428 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-024-04311-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Glasgow, Scotland's largest city, has been experiencing an HIV outbreak among people who inject drugs (PWID) since 2015. A key focus of the public health response has been to increase HIV testing among those at risk of infection. Our aim was to assess the impact of COVID-19 on HIV testing among PWID in Glasgow. HIV test uptake in the last 12 months was quantified among: (1) PWID recruited in six Needle Exchange Surveillance Initiative (NESI) surveys (n = 6110); linked laboratory data for (2) people prescribed opioid agonist therapy (OAT) (n = 14,527) and (3) people hospitalised for an injecting-related hospital admission (IRHA) (n = 12,621) across four time periods: pre-outbreak (2010-2014); early-outbreak (2015-2016); ongoing-outbreak (2017-2019); and COVID-19 (2020-June 21). From the pre to ongoing period, HIV testing increased: the highest among people recruited in NESI (from 28% to 56%) and on OAT (from 17% to 54%) while the lowest was among people with an IRHA (from 15% to 42%). From the ongoing to the COVID-19 period, HIV testing decreased markedly among people prescribed OAT, from 54% to 37% (aOR 0.50, 95% CI 0.48-0.53), but increased marginally among people with an IRHA from 42% to 47% (aOR 1.19, 95% CI 1.08-1.31). In conclusion, progress in increasing testing in response to the HIV outbreak has been eroded by COVID-19. Adoption of a linked data approach could be warranted in other settings to inform efforts to eliminate HIV transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten M A Trayner
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK.
- Public Health Scotland, Glasgow, UK.
| | - Alan Yeung
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
- Public Health Scotland, Glasgow, UK
| | - Norah E Palmateer
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
- Public Health Scotland, Glasgow, UK
| | - Andrew McAuley
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
- Public Health Scotland, Glasgow, UK
| | - Max Wilkinson
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
- Public Health Scotland, Glasgow, UK
| | - Julie Craik
- Public Health Protection Unit, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Rebecca Metcalfe
- Brownlee Centre for Infectious Diseases, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Erica Peters
- Brownlee Centre for Infectious Diseases, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Rory N Gunson
- West of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre, Glasgow, UK
| | - Daniel Carter
- Public Health Protection Unit, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Laura Sills
- NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Addiction Services, Glasgow, UK
| | - Sharon J Hutchinson
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK.
- Public Health Scotland, Glasgow, UK.
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26
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Malme KB, Stene-Johansen K, Klundby I, Backe Ø, Foshaug T, Greve MH, Pihl CM, Finbråten AK, Dalgard O, Midgard H. Virologic Response and Reinfection Following HCV Treatment among Hospitalized People Who Inject Drugs: Follow-Up Data from the OPPORTUNI-C Trial. Viruses 2024; 16:858. [PMID: 38932151 PMCID: PMC11209464 DOI: 10.3390/v16060858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Treatment of hepatitis C among people who inject drugs (PWID) may be complicated by loss to follow-up and reinfection. We aimed to evaluate sustained virologic response (SVR) and reinfection, and to validate complete pharmacy dispensation as a proxy for cure among PWID enrolled in a trial of opportunistic HCV treatment. Data were obtained by reviewing the electronic patient files and supplemented by outreach HCV RNA testing. Reinfection was defined based on clinical, behavioral, and virological data. Intention to treat SVR ≥ 4 within 2 years after enrolment was accomplished by 59 of 98 (60% [95% CI 50-70]) during intervention conditions (opportunistic treatment) and by 57 of 102 (56% [95% CI 46-66]) during control conditions (outpatient treatment). The time to end of treatment response (ETR) or SVR ≥ 4 was shorter among intervention participants (HR 1.55 [1.08-2.22]; p = 0.016). Of participants with complete dispensation, 132 of 145 (91%) achieved ETR or SVR > 4 (OR 12.7 [95% CI 4.3-37.8]; p < 0.001). Four cases of reinfection were identified (incidence 3.8/100 PY [95% CI 1.0-9.7]). Although SVR was similar, the time to virologic cure was shorter among intervention participants. Complete dispensation is a valid correlate for cure among individuals at risk of loss to follow-up. Reinfection following successful treatment remains a concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristian Braathen Malme
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Akershus University Hospital, 1478 Lørenskog, Norway;
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0371 Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Ingvild Klundby
- Department of Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway
| | - Øystein Backe
- Agency for Social and Welfare Services, 0182 Oslo, Norway; (Ø.B.); (T.F.)
| | - Tarjei Foshaug
- Agency for Social and Welfare Services, 0182 Oslo, Norway; (Ø.B.); (T.F.)
| | | | | | - Ane-Kristine Finbråten
- Unger-Vetlesen Institute, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, 0456 Oslo, Norway;
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway
| | - Olav Dalgard
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Akershus University Hospital, 1478 Lørenskog, Norway;
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0371 Oslo, Norway
| | - Håvard Midgard
- Department of Gastroenterology, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway;
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27
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Mudiope P, Mutamba BB, Komuhangi L, Nangendo J, Alamo S, Mathers B, Makumbi F, Wanyenze R. Retention of people who inject drugs enrolled in a 'medications for opioid use disorder' (MOUD) programme in Uganda. Addict Sci Clin Pract 2024; 19:39. [PMID: 38750568 PMCID: PMC11094991 DOI: 10.1186/s13722-024-00468-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Injection Drug use is associated with increased HIV risk behaviour that may result in the transmission of HIV and poor access to HIV prevention and treatment. In 2020, Uganda introduced the 'medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) treatment' for People who inject drugs (PWID). We analysed the 12-month retention and associated factors among PWID enrolled on MOUD treatment in Kampala, Uganda. METHODS We conducted a retrospective analysis of 343 PWID with OUD who completed 14 days of methadone induction from September 2020 to July 2022. Retention was defined as the number of individuals still in the programme divided by the total number enrolled, computed at 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12 months using lifetable and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses. Cox proportional regression analyses were conducted to assess factors associated with retention in the programme in the first 12 months. RESULTS Overall, 243 (71%) of 343 participants stabilized at a methadone dose of 60 mg or more. The majority of participants were males (n = 284, 82.8%), and the median (interquartile range, IQR) age was 31 (26-38) years. Most participants (n = 276, 80.5%) lived 5 km or more away from the MOUD clinic. Thirty (8.8%) were HIV-positive, 52 (15.7%) had a major mental illness and 96 (27.9%) had a history of taking alcohol three months before enrollment. The cumulative retention significantly declined from 83.4% (95%CI = 79.0-87.0) at 3months to 71.9% (95%CI = 67.2-76.6) at 6months, 64% 95%CI = 58.7-68.9) at 9months, and 55.2%; 95% CI (49.8-60.3% at 12months. The 12-month retention was significantly higher for participants on methadone doses of 60 mg or more (adj.HR = 2.1, 95%CI = 1.41-3.22), while participants resident within 5 km of the MOUD clinic were 4.9 times more likely to be retained at 12 months, compared to those residing 5 km or more, (adj. HR = 4.81, 95%CI = 1.54-15). Other factors, including predisposing, need, and enabling factors, were not associated with retention. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates acceptable 12-month retention rates for people who inject drugs, comparable to previous studies done in both developing and developed countries. Sustaining and improving retention may require enhanced scaling up of MOUD dose to an optimal level in the first 14 days and reducing the distance between participant locale and MOUD clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Mudiope
- Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda.
| | | | - Liz Komuhangi
- Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Joan Nangendo
- Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Stella Alamo
- United States of America Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Bradley Mathers
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Rhoda Wanyenze
- Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
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28
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Hall EW, Bradley H, Barker LK, Lewis KC, Shealey J, Valverde E, Sullivan P, Gupta N, Hofmeister MG. Estimating hepatitis C prevalence in the United States, 2017-2020. Hepatology 2024:01515467-990000000-00878. [PMID: 38739849 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) underestimates the true prevalence of HCV infection. By accounting for populations inadequately represented in NHANES, we created 2 models to estimate the national hepatitis C prevalence among US adults during 2017-2020. APPROACH AND RESULTS The first approach (NHANES+) replicated previous methodology by supplementing hepatitis C prevalence estimates among the US noninstitutionalized civilian population with a literature review and meta-analysis of hepatitis C prevalence among populations not included in the NHANES sampling frame. In the second approach (persons who injected drugs [PWID] adjustment), we developed a model to account for the underrepresentation of PWID in NHANES by incorporating the estimated number of adult PWID in the United States and applying PWID-specific hepatitis C prevalence estimates. Using the NHANES+ model, we estimated HCV RNA prevalence of 1.0% (95% CI: 0.5%-1.4%) among US adults in 2017-2020, corresponding to 2,463,700 (95% CI: 1,321,700-3,629,400) current HCV infections. Using the PWID adjustment model, we estimated HCV RNA prevalence of 1.6% (95% CI: 0.9%-2.2%), corresponding to 4,043,200 (95% CI: 2,401,800-5,607,100) current HCV infections. CONCLUSIONS Despite years of an effective cure, the estimated prevalence of hepatitis C in 2017-2020 remains unchanged from 2013 to 2016 when using a comparable methodology. When accounting for increased injection drug use, the estimated prevalence of hepatitis C is substantially higher than previously reported. National action is urgently needed to expand testing, increase access to treatment, and improve surveillance, especially among medically underserved populations, to support hepatitis C elimination goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric W Hall
- OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Heather Bradley
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Laurie K Barker
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Karon C Lewis
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jalissa Shealey
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Eduardo Valverde
- National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Patrick Sullivan
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Neil Gupta
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Megan G Hofmeister
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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29
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Ahmad A, Kamarulzaman A, Kazatchkine M, Dreifuss R, Clark H. The 67th UN CND-upholding human rights in drug policy. Lancet 2024; 403:1851-1852. [PMID: 38734469 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(24)00763-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Ahsan Ahmad
- Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA), Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia.
| | - Adeeba Kamarulzaman
- Global Commission on Drug Policy, Geneva, Switzerland; Monash University, Subang Jaya, Malaysia; Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA), Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | | | - Ruth Dreifuss
- Global Commission on Drug Policy, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Helen Clark
- Global Commission on Drug Policy, Geneva, Switzerland
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30
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Price O, Swanton R, Grebely J, Hajarizadeh B, Webb P, Peacock A, Dore GJ, Cowie BC, Vickerman P, Degenhardt L. Vaccination coverage among people who inject drugs: A systematic review. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2024; 127:104382. [PMID: 38503233 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People who inject drugs may be at excess risk of acquiring vaccine-preventable diseases and negative associated health outcomes, but experience barriers to vaccination. We aimed to determine vaccination coverage among people who inject drugs globally. METHODOLOGY We conducted systematic searches of the peer-reviewed and grey literature, date limited from January 2008 to August 2023, focusing on diseases for which people who inject drugs are at elevated risk for and for which an adult vaccination dose is recommended (COVID-19, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, human papillomavirus, influenza, pneumococcal disease, tetanus). To summarise available data, we conducted a narrative synthesis. RESULTS We included 78 studies/reports comprising 117 estimates of vaccination coverage across 36 countries. Most estimates were obtained from high income countries (80%, n=94). We located estimates for hepatitis B vaccination in 33 countries, which included 18 countries with data on serological evidence of vaccine-derived hepatitis B immunity (range: 6-53%) and 22 countries with self-report data for vaccine uptake (<1-96%). Data for other vaccines were scarcer: reported hepatitis A vaccination coverage ranged 3-89% (five countries), COVID-19 ranged 4-84% (five countries), while we located estimates from fewer than five countries for influenza, tetanus, pneumococcal disease, and human papillomavirus. CONCLUSION Estimates were sparse but where available indicative of suboptimal vaccination coverage among people who inject drugs. Improving the consistency, timeliness, and geographic coverage of vaccine uptake data among this population is essential to inform efforts to increase uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Price
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Rosie Swanton
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
| | | | | | - Paige Webb
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
| | - Amy Peacock
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, Australia; School of Psychological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | | | - Benjamin C Cowie
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; WHO Collaborating Centre for Viral Hepatitis, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Doherty Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Peter Vickerman
- Population Health Science, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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31
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Valerio H, Marshall AD, Conway A, Treloar C, Carter L, Martinello M, Henderson C, Amin J, Read P, Silk D, Degenhardt L, Prain B, Alavi M, Dore GJ, Grebely J. Factors associated with hepatitis C testing, treatment, and current hepatitis C infection among men and women who inject drugs: The ETHOS engage study. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2024; 127:104394. [PMID: 38608357 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evaluating gender-specific trends in hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment uptake among men and women who inject drugs is crucial for ensuring equitable progress towards HCV elimination. This study aimed to quantify differences in testing, treatment, and current HCV infection between men and women who inject drugs. METHOD ETHOS Engage is an observational cohort study of people who inject drugs attending drug treatment clinics and needle and syringe programs in Australia recruited from May 2018-September 2019 (wave 1) and November 2019-April 2021 (wave 2). Participants completed a questionnaire including self-reported HCV testing and treatment history and underwent point-of-care HCV RNA testing (Xpert® HCV Viral Load Fingerstick). Logistic regression was used to compare the factors associated with self-reported HCV testing and treatment and current HCV infection for men and women who inject drugs. RESULTS Among 2,395 participants enrolled in ETHOS Engage, 66% (n = 1,591) were men, 33% (n = 786) women, and <1% (n = 18) did not identify as a man or woman. HCV testing history and current infection were similar among men and women. Among men or women ever eligible for HCV treatment (ever chronic HCV) (n = 1,242), women were less likely to report a history of HCV treatment compared to men (227/352, 64% vs. 631/890, 71%; p = 0.03). Among women, those aged <45 were less likely to report HCV testing (aOR: 0.57, 95%CI: 0.36, 0.90), treatment (aOR: 0.47, 95%CI: 0.29, 0.77), and more likely to have HCV infection (aOR: 1.48, 95%CI: 1.00, 2.20) CONCLUSION: Among women, those of childbearing age (<45) were less likely to report testing and treatment and were more likely to have current HCV infection. Women <45 years old should be a priority population for HCV care. Services that interface with these women should be optimised to enhance HCV testing and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather Valerio
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Alison D Marshall
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Anna Conway
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Carla Treloar
- Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lisa Carter
- Hepatitis SA, Hackney, South Australia, Australia
| | - Marianne Martinello
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Janaki Amin
- Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Phillip Read
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Kirketon Road Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David Silk
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Bianca Prain
- Population Health Strategy & Performance, NSW Health, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Maryam Alavi
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Gregory J Dore
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jason Grebely
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Aponte-Meléndez Y, Eckhardt B, Fong C, Padilla A, Trinidad-Martínez W, Maldonado-Rodríguez E, Agront N, Mateu-Gelabert P. Prevalence and associated risk factors of hepatitis C antibody and RNA among people who inject drugs in Puerto Rico. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE AND ADDICTION TREATMENT 2024; 160:209308. [PMID: 38301921 PMCID: PMC11060894 DOI: 10.1016/j.josat.2024.209308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION As a public health crisis, hepatitis C viral infection (HCV) is highly prevalent among people who inject drugs (PWID). We aimed to assess factors associated with HCV antibody (Ab) and HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) positivity among PWID in Puerto Rico. METHODS The study recruited a total of 150 persons in rural and peri-urban community settings through the respondent-driven sampling method and administered a structured questionnaire. We conducted HIV and HCV testing using dried blood spots (DBS). We examined correlates of HCV infection with sociodemographics, drug use patterns, and injection practices using regression in bivariate and multivariable analysis. RESULTS Of the 150 participants, 89 % were male; 11 % were female; 72 % identified as mixed race; and the median duration of drug injection was 17.8 years. The mean age was 43.1 years, with 64 % of the population being from 23 to 45 years old. Among study participants (n = 150), the prevalence of HCV Ab was 73 %, and HCV RNA was 53 %. Factors significantly associated with HCV Ab and RNA included older age, increasing years of injection, incarceration, injecting other people, and identifying as Black. The belief that syringe air blowing reduces HCV transmission was also independently associated with HCV Ab positivity. CONCLUSIONS Our findings regarding risk factors associated with HCV infection show the need to enhance prevention and control strategies for reducing transmission among PWID. Direct-acting antiviral treatment, sustained access to harm reduction, and culturally tailored services will be required to substantially reduce rates of HCV. Community-based treatment models and treatment in correctional settings are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yesenia Aponte-Meléndez
- CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), 55 West 125(th) street, New York, NY 10027, USA; NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing, 433 1(st) Ave., New York, NY, 10010, USA.
| | - Benjamin Eckhardt
- New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| | - Chunki Fong
- CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), 55 West 125(th) street, New York, NY 10027, USA.
| | - Adriana Padilla
- CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), 55 West 125(th) street, New York, NY 10027, USA.
| | - Wanda Trinidad-Martínez
- CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), 55 West 125(th) street, New York, NY 10027, USA.
| | - Eric Maldonado-Rodríguez
- CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), 55 West 125(th) street, New York, NY 10027, USA.
| | - Nancy Agront
- AbbVie Corp., Paseo Caribe Building Suite 22415 Ave Munoz Rivera San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico.
| | - Pedro Mateu-Gelabert
- CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), 55 West 125(th) street, New York, NY 10027, USA.
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Bah R, Sheehan Y, Li X, Price N, Butler T, Dore GJ, Grebely J, Lloyd AR, Hajarizadeh B. Challenges and facilitators in repeated bio-behavioural surveys for blood-borne virus infections in Australian prisons. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2024:104401. [PMID: 38670855 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prison-based blood-borne virus (BBV) surveillance is essential for evaluation of prevention and treatment programs for high-risk populations, such as people who inject drugs who are over-represented amongst those incarcerated. Regular triennial surveillance has been in place in Australian prisons for almost two decades, but has been focused to date only on new prison entrants. Recently, the Australian Hepatitis and risk survey in prisons (AusHep study) was established to provide improved surveillance via an expanded bio-behavioural survey representative of all people in prison, including those sentenced and those on remand. This paper aims to identify the challenges and facilitators in conducting bio-behavioural surveys for BBV infections in prison settings. METHODS Randomly selected individuals in 23 prisons, representative of prisons and people in prison (male/female, security classification, rural location, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander), were offered point-of-care testing for HIV and hepatitis C (HCV) antibodies, hepatitis B virus surface (HBs) antigen, and HCV RNA (if HCV antibody positive). Data regarding risk behaviours, harm reduction measures, and prior BBV testing and treatment were collected by interview. Data was also collected on the challenges and facilitators encountered during planning and implementation at each participating prison. RESULTS In the first round, AusHep recruited 1599 participants (98 % participation, 89 % male, median age 35 years, 49 % ever injected drugs). Major implementation challenges included: slow and complex ethics and governance requirements in each jurisdiction, and challenging logistical arrangements and participant access constraints in the prisons. Major facilitators included use of point-of-care testing allowing immediate feedback of results, strong support from jurisdictional stakeholders in correction and public health sectors, flexibility in the timing and detailed planning for each site, and computer tablet-based data collection. CONCLUSION The high participation and informative findings indicated clear feasibility of this improved surveillance system. Strong stakeholder engagement and flexibility in logistics facilitated successful implementation of multi-jurisdictional prison-based surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rugi Bah
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Yumi Sheehan
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Xiaoying Li
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nicola Price
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tony Butler
- School of Population Health, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Gregory J Dore
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jason Grebely
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andrew R Lloyd
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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MacLeod CS, Nagy J, Radley A, Khan F, Rae N, Wilson MSJ, Suttie SA. REPAIRS Delphi: A UK and Ireland Consensus Statement on the Management of Infected Arterial Pseudoaneurysms Secondary to Groin Injecting Drug Use. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2024:S1078-5884(24)00352-6. [PMID: 38663765 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2024.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Consensus guidelines on the optimal management of infected arterial pseudoaneurysms secondary to groin injecting drug use are lacking. This pathology is a problem in the UK and globally, yet operative management options remain contentious. This study was designed to establish consensus to promote better management of these patients, drawing on the expert experience of those in a location with a high prevalence of illicit drug use. METHODS A three round modified Delphi was undertaken, systematically surveying consultant vascular surgeons in the UK and Ireland using an online platform. Seventy five vascular surgery units were invited to participate, with one consultant providing the unit consensus practice. Round one responses were thematically analysed to generate statements for round two. These statements were evaluated by participants using a five point Likert scale. Consensus was achieved at a threshold of 70% or more agreement or disagreement. Those statements not reaching consensus were assessed and modified for round three. The results of the Delphi process constituted the consensus statement. RESULTS Round one received 64 (86%) responses, round two 59 (79%) responses, and round three 62 (83%) responses; 73 (97%) of 75 units contributed. Round two comprised 150 statements and round three 24 statements. Ninety one statements achieved consensus agreement and 15 consensus disagreement. The Delphi statements covered sequential management of these patients from diagnosis and imaging, antibiotics and microbiology, surgical approach, wound management, follow up, and additional considerations. Pre-operative imaging achieved consensus agreement (97%), with computerised tomography angiography being the modality of choice (97%). Ligation and debridement without arterial reconstruction was the preferred approach at initial surgical intervention (89%). Multidisciplinary management, ensuring holistic care and access to substance use services, also gained consensus agreement. CONCLUSION This comprehensive consensus statement provides a strong insight into the standard of care for these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin S MacLeod
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Ninewells Hospital, NHS Tayside, Dundee, UK; Division of Systems Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
| | - John Nagy
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Ninewells Hospital, NHS Tayside, Dundee, UK
| | - Andrew Radley
- Directorate of Public Health, Kings Cross Hospital, NHS Tayside, Dundee, UK; Division of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Faisel Khan
- Division of Systems Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Nikolas Rae
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ninewells Hospital, NHS Tayside, Dundee, UK
| | | | - Stuart A Suttie
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Ninewells Hospital, NHS Tayside, Dundee, UK
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Byrne CJ, Sani F, Thain D, Fletcher EH, Malaguti A. Psychosocial factors associated with overdose subsequent to Illicit Drug use: a systematic review and narrative synthesis. Harm Reduct J 2024; 21:81. [PMID: 38622647 PMCID: PMC11017611 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-024-00999-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Psychological and social status, and environmental context, may mediate the likelihood of experiencing overdose subsequent to illicit drug use. The aim of this systematic review was to identify and synthesise psychosocial factors associated with overdose among people who use drugs. METHODS This review was registered on Prospero (CRD42021242495). Systematic record searches were undertaken in databases of peer-reviewed literature (Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, and Cinahl) and grey literature sources (Google Scholar) for work published up to and including 14 February 2023. Reference lists of selected full-text papers were searched for additional records. Studies were eligible if they included people who use drugs with a focus on relationships between psychosocial factors and overdose subsequent to illicit drug use. Results were tabulated and narratively synthesised. RESULTS Twenty-six studies were included in the review, with 150,625 participants: of those 3,383-4072 (3%) experienced overdose. Twenty-one (81%) studies were conducted in North America and 23 (89%) reported polydrug use. Psychosocial factors associated with risk of overdose (n = 103) were identified and thematically organised into ten groups. These were: income; housing instability; incarceration; traumatic experiences; overdose risk perception and past experience; healthcare experiences; perception of own drug use and injecting skills; injecting setting; conditions with physical environment; and social network traits. CONCLUSIONS Global rates of overdose continue to increase, and many guidelines recommend psychosocial interventions for dependent drug use. The factors identified here provide useful targets for practitioners to focus on at the individual level, but many identified will require wider policy changes to affect positive change. Future research should seek to develop and trial interventions targeting factors identified, whilst advocacy for key policy reforms to reduce harm must continue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Byrne
- Division of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
- Directorate of Public Health, NHS Tayside, Kings Cross Hospital, Dundee, UK.
| | - Fabio Sani
- Division of Psychology, School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law, University of Dundee, Scrymgeour Building, Dundee, UK
| | - Donna Thain
- Directorate of Public Health, NHS Tayside, Kings Cross Hospital, Dundee, UK
| | - Emma H Fletcher
- Directorate of Public Health, NHS Tayside, Kings Cross Hospital, Dundee, UK
| | - Amy Malaguti
- Division of Psychology, School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law, University of Dundee, Scrymgeour Building, Dundee, UK
- Tayside Drug and Alcohol Recovery Psychology Service, NHS Tayside, Dundee, UK
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Bórquez I, Cerdá M, González-Santa Cruz A, Krawczyk N, Castillo-Carniglia Á. Longitudinal trajectories of substance use disorder treatment use: A latent class growth analysis using a national cohort in Chile. Addiction 2024; 119:753-765. [PMID: 38192124 DOI: 10.1111/add.16412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Longitudinal studies have revealed that substance use treatment use is often recurrent among patients; the longitudinal patterns and characteristics of those treatment trajectories have received less attention, particularly in the global south. This study aimed to disentangle heterogeneity in treatment use among adult patients in Chile by identifying distinct treatment trajectory groups and factors associated with them. DESIGN National-level registry-based retrospective cohort. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Adults admitted to publicly funded substance use disorder treatment programs in Chile from November 2009 to November 2010 and followed for 9 years (n = 6266). MEASUREMENTS Monthly treatment use; type of treatment; ownership of the treatment center; discharge status; primary substance used; sociodemographic. FINDINGS A seven-class treatment trajectory solution was chosen using latent class growth analysis. We identified three trajectory groups that did not recur and had different treatment lengths: Early discontinuation (32%), Less than a year in treatment (19.7%) and Year-long episode, without recurrence (12.3%). We also identified a mixed trajectory group that had a long first treatment or two treatment episodes with a brief time between treatments: Long first treatment, or immediate recurrence (6.3%), and three recurrent treatment trajectory groups: Recurrent and decreasing (14.2%), Early discontinuation with recurrence (9.9%) and Recurrent after long between treatments period (5.7%). Inpatient or outpatient high intensity (vs. outpatient low intensity) at first entry increased the odds of being in the longer one-episode groups compared with the Early discontinuation group. Women had increased odds of belonging to all the recurrent groups. Using cocaine paste (vs. alcohol) as a primary substance decreased the odds of belonging to long one-episode groups. CONCLUSIONS In Chile, people in publicly funded treatment for substance use disorder show seven distinct care trajectories: three groups with different treatment lengths and no recurring episodes, a mixed group with a long first treatment or two treatment episodes with a short between-treatment-episodes period and three recurrent treatment groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Bórquez
- Center for Opioid Epidemiology and Policy (COEP), Department of Population Health, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York, New York, USA
- Millennium Nucleus for the Evaluation and Analysis of Drug Policies (nDP), Santiago, Chile
| | - Magdalena Cerdá
- Center for Opioid Epidemiology and Policy (COEP), Department of Population Health, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Andrés González-Santa Cruz
- Millennium Nucleus for the Evaluation and Analysis of Drug Policies (nDP), Santiago, Chile
- Society and Health Research Center and School of Public Health, Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y Artes, Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile
- School of Public Health, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Noa Krawczyk
- Center for Opioid Epidemiology and Policy (COEP), Department of Population Health, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Álvaro Castillo-Carniglia
- Millennium Nucleus for the Evaluation and Analysis of Drug Policies (nDP), Santiago, Chile
- Society and Health Research Center and School of Public Health, Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y Artes, Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile
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Eschliman EL, Patel EU, Murray SM, German D, Kirk GD, Mehta SH, Kaufman MR, Genberg BL. Drug Use-Related Discrimination in Healthcare Settings and Subsequent Emergency Department Utilization in a Prospective Cohort Study of People With a History of Injection Drug Use. Subst Use Misuse 2024; 59:1210-1220. [PMID: 38519443 PMCID: PMC11194036 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2024.2330906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People with a history of injection drug use face discrimination in healthcare settings that may impede their use of routine care, leading to greater reliance on the emergency department (ED) for addressing health concerns. The relationship between discrimination in healthcare settings and subsequent ED utilization has not been established in this population. METHODS This analysis used longitudinal data collected between January 2014 and March 2020 from participants of the ALIVE (AIDS Linked to the IntraVenous Experience) study, a community-based observational cohort study of people with a history of injection drug use in Baltimore, Maryland. Logistic regressions with generalized estimating equations were used to estimate associations between drug use-related discrimination in healthcare settings and subsequent ED utilization for the sample overall and six subgroups based on race, sex, and HIV status. RESULTS 1,342 participants contributed data from 7,289 semiannual study visits. Participants were predominately Black (82%), mostly male (66%), and 33% were living with HIV. Drug use-related discrimination in healthcare settings (reported at 6% of study visits) was positively associated with any subsequent ED use (OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.15-1.72). Positive associations persisted after adjusting for covariates, including past sixth-month ED use and drug use, among the overall sample (aOR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.04-1.59) and among some subgroups. CONCLUSIONS Drug use-related discrimination in healthcare settings was associated with greater subsequent ED utilization in this sample. Further exploration of mechanisms driving this relationship may help improve care and optimize healthcare engagement for people with a history of injection drug use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan L. Eschliman
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
| | - Eshan U. Patel
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
| | - Sarah M. Murray
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
| | - Danielle German
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
| | - Gregory D. Kirk
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
| | - Shruti H. Mehta
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
| | - Michelle R. Kaufman
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
| | - Becky L. Genberg
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
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Draper B, Yee WL, Bowring A, Naing W, Kyi KP, Htay H, Howell J, Hellard M, Pedrana A. Patients' experience of accessing hepatitis C treatment through the Myanmar national hepatitis C treatment program: a qualitative evaluation. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:80. [PMID: 38229074 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-10456-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Globally, 56.8 million people are living with hepatitis C and over three-quarters of those reside in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Barriers and enablers to hepatitis C care among people who inject drugs in high-income countries are well documented. However, there is scant literature describing the patient experience in LMICs. Understanding the barriers and enablers to care from the patient perspective is important to inform service refinements to improve accessibility and acceptability of hepatitis C care. METHODS We conducted a qualitative evaluation of the patient experience of accessing the national hepatitis C program at eight hospital sites in Myanmar. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four to five participants per site. Interview data were analysed thematically, with deductive codes from Levesque et al.'s (2013) Framework on patient-centred access to healthcare. RESULTS Across the eight sites, 38 participants who had completed treatment were interviewed. Barriers to accessing care were mostly related to attending for care and included travel time and costs, multiple appointments, and wait times. Some participants described how they did not receive adequate information on hepatitis C, particularly its transmission routes, and on the level of cirrhosis of their liver and what they were required to do after treatment (i.e. reduce alcohol consumption, liver cirrhosis monitoring). Many participants commented that they had few or no opportunities to ask questions. Provision of treatment at no cost was essential to accessibility, and gratitude for free treatment led to high acceptability of care, even when accessing care was inconvenient. CONCLUSIONS These findings highlight the importance of streamlining and decentralising health services, adequate human resourcing and training, and affordable treatment in maximising the accessibility and acceptability of hepatitis C care in LMICs. Findings from this work will inform future service delivery refinements for national program and other decentralised programs to improve accessibility and acceptability of hepatitis C care in Myanmar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridget Draper
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
- School of Population Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
| | | | - Anna Bowring
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Win Naing
- Yangon Specialty Hospital, Yangon, Myanmar
- Myanmar Liver Foundation, Yangon, Myanmar
| | | | - Hla Htay
- Burnet Institute Myanmar, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Jessica Howell
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Population Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Hepatitis Services, Department of Infectious Diseases Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Doherty Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Population Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Health Services Research and Implementation, Monash Partners, Melbourne, Australia
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Gliddon HD, Ward Z, Heinsbroek E, Croxford S, Edmundson C, Hope VD, Simmons R, Mitchell H, Hickman M, Vickerman P, Stone J. Has the HCV cascade of care changed among people who inject drugs in England since the introduction of direct-acting antivirals? THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2024:104324. [PMID: 38218700 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In England, over 80 % of those with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have injected drugs. We quantified the HCV cascade of care (CoC) among people who inject drugs (PWID) in England and determined whether this improved after direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) were introduced. METHODS We analysed data from nine rounds of national annual cross-sectional surveys of PWID recruited from drug services (2011-2019; N = 12,320). Study rounds were grouped as: 'Pre-DAAs' (2011-2014), 'Prioritised DAAs' (2015-2016) and 'Unrestricted DAAs' (2017-2019). Participants were anonymously tested for HCV antibodies and RNA and completed a short survey. We assessed the proportion of PWID recently (current/previous year) tested for HCV. For participants ever HCV treatment eligible (past chronic infection with history of treatment or current chronic infection), we assessed the CoC as: HCV testing (ever), received a positive test result, seen a specialist nurse/doctor, and ever treated. We used logistic regression to determine if individuals progressed through the CoC differently depending on time-period, whether time-period was associated with recent testing (all participants) and lifetime HCV treatment (ever eligible participants), and predictors of HCV testing and treatment in the Unrestricted DAAs period. RESULTS The proportion of ever HCV treatment eligible PWID reporting lifetime HCV treatment increased from 12.5 % in the Pre-DAAs period to 25.6 % in the Unrestricted DAAs period (aOR:2.40, 95 %CI:1.95-2.96). There were also increases in seeing a specialist nurse/doctor. The largest loss in the CoC was at treatment for all time periods. During the Unrestricted DAAs period, recent (past year) homelessness (vs never, aOR:0.66, 95 %CI:0.45-0.97), duration of injecting (≤3 years vs >3 years; aOR:0.26, 95 %CI:0.12-0.60), never (vs current, aOR:0.31, 95 %CI:0.13-0.75) or previously being prescribed OAT (vs current, aOR:0.67, 95 %CI:0.47-0.95), and never using a NSP (vs past year, aOR:0.27, 95 %CI:0.08-0.89) were negatively associated with lifetime HCV treatment. The proportion of PWID reporting recent HCV testing was higher during Unrestricted DAAs (56 %) compared to Pre-DAAs (48 %; aOR:1.28, 95 %CI:1.06-1.54). CONCLUSION COC stages from seeing a specialist onwards improved after DAAs became widely available. Further improvements in HCV testing are needed to eliminate HCV in England.
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Affiliation(s)
- H D Gliddon
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom; National Public Health Specialty Training Programme, South West, United Kingdom
| | - Z Ward
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation at University of Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - E Heinsbroek
- Blood Safety, Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV Service, UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - S Croxford
- National Public Health Speciality Training Programme, West Midlands, United Kingdom
| | - C Edmundson
- Blood Safety, Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV Service, UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - V D Hope
- Public Health Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - R Simmons
- Blood Safety, Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV Service, UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - H Mitchell
- Blood Safety, Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV Service, UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - M Hickman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation at University of Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - P Vickerman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation at University of Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - J Stone
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation at University of Bristol, United Kingdom.
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Dumchev K, Kovtun O, Salnikov S, Titar I, Saliuk T. Integrated biobehavioral surveillance among people who inject drugs in Ukraine, 2007-2020. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2024:104319. [PMID: 38216437 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Repeated integrated biobehavioral surveys (IBBS) have been implemented among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Ukraine to monitor the trends in key epidemiologic and programmatic indicators. METHODS The study analyzed seven PWID IBBS rounds from 2007 to 2020 in seven Ukrainian cities. Participants were recruited using respondent-driven sampling, tested for HIV and anti-HCV antibodies, and completed a structured questionnaire. Composite weights (based on individual sampling probability and population size) were applied to generate point estimates and confidence intervals for HIV and HCV prevalence, injection risk behaviors, prevention service coverage, and HIV treatment cascade. Multi-level regression assessed temporal trends in these indicators in 2007-2020. RESULTS The samples consisted of 1587 participants in 2007, 1905 in 2008/9, 3066 in 2011, 2846 in 2013, 2699 in 2015, 2798 in 2017, and 3651 in the 2020 rounds. HIV prevalence decreased from 27% to 19% overall, and among PWID younger than 25 from 10.5% to 5.5%. Anti-HCV prevalence increased from 50% to 73% overall but decreased from 58% to 27% in the younger subgroup. Past-30-days injection risk behaviors consistently decreased, reaching a minimum of 38% for any risk in 2020. HIV treatment cascade indicators and coverage with opioid agonist treatment substantially improved in the last three rounds. Harm reduction services coverage fluctuated, declining from 52% to 33% in the last three rounds. CONCLUSIONS This analysis demonstrates the potential of repeated IBBS for monitoring the HIV epidemic and program coverage. We confirmed a sustained decline in overall HIV and HCV transmission, likely driven by reduced risky injection practices among PWID. The impact of harm reduction services requires further study. HIV status awareness and treatment coverage among PWID markedly increased, reaching the national average, possibly indicating the success of case-finding and linkage-to-care interventions. The upcoming IBBS round in Ukraine will also assess the impact of the war on service provision, risk behavior, and HIV transmission among PWID.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Serhii Salnikov
- Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Ivan Titar
- Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
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Semá Baltazar C, Ribeiro Banze A, Seleme J, Boothe M. People Who Inject Drugs in Mozambique: We need to normalize HIV treatment and care services in specialized community centers for people who inject drugs! Harm Reduct J 2024; 21:6. [PMID: 38184600 PMCID: PMC10771667 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-023-00910-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Globally, People Who Inject Drugs (PWID) have limited healthcare, treatment, and prevention services, and they frequently experience stigma and negative attitudes toward healthcare providers when accessing services. Mozambique, with a general population HIV prevalence of 12.5%, has one of the highest rates in the world, and the PWID population has the highest HIV prevalence among key populations, estimated at nearly 50%. Less than half of HIV positives who inject drugs are linked to HIV treatment and are retained in care. One of the main reasons is that HIV treatment is mainly provided in a public health facility and PWID delayed accessing healthcare since they anticipated mistreatment from multiple levels of healthcare providers. To improve the health outcomes in this group, we need to treat them where they feel comfortable and respected. In this commentary, we outline the importance of innovative approaches to enhance the management of HIV-positive PWID. As a country gets close to controlling the HIV epidemic, refocusing and targeting responses to the highest-risk groups becomes even more essential for shaping more effective HIV interventions and achieving epidemic control.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jessica Seleme
- Mozambique National Program for STI, HIV and AIDS Control, Ministry Oh Health, Maputo, Mozambique
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Hajarizadeh B, Carson JM, Byrne M, Grebely J, Cunningham E, Amin J, Vickerman P, Martin NK, Treloar C, Martinello M, Lloyd AR, Dore GJ. Incidence of hepatitis C virus infection in the prison setting: The SToP-C study. J Viral Hepat 2024; 31:21-34. [PMID: 37936544 PMCID: PMC10952254 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
People in prison are at high risk of HCV given high injecting drug use prevalence. This study evaluated HCV incidence and associated injecting drug use characteristics in prison. The SToP-C study enrolled people incarcerated in four Australian prisons. Participants were tested for HCV at enrolment and then every 3-6 months (October-2014 to November-2019). Participants eligible for this analysis included those at-risk of HCV primary infection (anti-HCV negative) or re-infection (anti-HCV positive, HCV RNA negative) with follow-up assessment. A total of 1643 eligible participants were included in analyses (82% male; median age 33 years; 30% injected drugs in prison; 1818 person-years of follow-up). Overall HCV incidence was 6.11/100 person-years (95%CI: 5.07-7.35), with higher rate of re-infection (9.34/100 person-years; 95%CI: 7.15-12.19) than primary infection (4.60/100 person-years; 95%CI: 3.56-5.96). In total population (n = 1643), HCV risk was significantly higher among participants injecting drugs in prison [vs. no injecting; adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 10.55, 95%CI: 5.88-18.92), and those who were released and re-incarcerated during follow-up (vs. remained incarcerated; aHR: 1.60, 95%CI: 1.03-2.49). Among participants who injected recently (during past month, n = 321), HCV risk was reduced among those receiving high-dosage opioid agonist therapy (OAT), i.e. methadone ≥60 mg/day or buprenorphine ≥16 mg/day, (vs. no OAT, aHR: 0.11, 95%CI: 0.02-0.80) and increased among those sharing needles/syringes without consistent use of disinfectant to clean injecting equipment (vs. no sharing, HR: 4.60, 95%CI: 1.35-15.66). This study demonstrated high HCV transmission risk in prison, particularly among people injecting drugs. High-dosage OAT was protective, but improved OAT coverage and needle/syringe programmes to reduce sharing injecting equipment are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behzad Hajarizadeh
- The Kirby InstituteUniversity of New Soth Wales (UNSW)SydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Joanne M. Carson
- The Kirby InstituteUniversity of New Soth Wales (UNSW)SydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Marianne Byrne
- The Kirby InstituteUniversity of New Soth Wales (UNSW)SydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Jason Grebely
- The Kirby InstituteUniversity of New Soth Wales (UNSW)SydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Evan Cunningham
- The Kirby InstituteUniversity of New Soth Wales (UNSW)SydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Janaki Amin
- Faculty of Medicine and Health SciencesMacquarie UniversitySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | | | - Natasha K. Martin
- Division of Infectious Diseases & Global Public HealthUniversity of California San DiegoSan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Carla Treloar
- Centre for Social Research in HealthUniversity of New Soth Wales (UNSW)SydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Marianne Martinello
- The Kirby InstituteUniversity of New Soth Wales (UNSW)SydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Andrew R. Lloyd
- The Kirby InstituteUniversity of New Soth Wales (UNSW)SydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Gregory J. Dore
- The Kirby InstituteUniversity of New Soth Wales (UNSW)SydneyNew South WalesAustralia
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Opheim E, Dalgard O, Ulstein K, Sørli H, Backe Ø, Foshaug T, Couëssurel Wüsthoff LE, Midgard H. Towards elimination of hepatitis C in Oslo: Cross-sectional prevalence studies among people who inject drugs. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2024; 123:104279. [PMID: 38061225 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Norway aims to eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection within the end of 2023. Before the introduction of direct-acting antivirals, the prevalence of chronic HCV infection among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Oslo was 40-45 %. The primary aim of the study was to assess changes in HCV prevalence among PWID in Oslo from 2018 to 2021. The secondary aim was to assess change in prevalence in selected subgroups. METHODS Point prevalence studies were conducted in 2018 and 2021 among PWID attending low-threshold health services in downtown Oslo. Assessments included blood samples analysed for anti-HCV and HCV RNA, and a questionnaire about drug use. Information about previous HCV treatment was only collected in the 2021 cohort. We calculated HCV RNA prevalence estimates for 2018 and 2021 and used logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with detectable HCV RNA and previous HCV treatment. RESULTS A total of 281 and 261 participants were included in 2018 and 2021, respectively. The median age was 40.6 and 44.0 years, 73.7 % and 72.8 % were men, and 74.5 % and 78.6 % reported recent (past four weeks) injecting drug use, respectively. HCV RNA prevalence decreased significantly from 26.3 % (95 % CI 21.3-31.9) in 2018 (74 of 281) to 14.2 % (95 % CI 10.2-19.0) in 2021 (37 of 261). The odds of detectable HCV RNA were significantly lower in 2021 compared to 2018 (aOR 0.41; 95 % CI 0.26-0.67). In the 2021 cohort, detectable HCV RNA was associated with recent amphetamine injecting (aOR 7.21; 95 % CI 1.41-36.95), and mixed heroin/amphetamine injecting (aOR 7.97; 95 % CI 1.55-41.07). The odds of previous treatment were lower among women (aOR 0.52; 95 % CI 0.27-1.00). CONCLUSION A substantial decrease in HCV RNA prevalence among PWID in Oslo between 2018 and 2021 was observed. To reach elimination, adaptive services must be further developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eirik Opheim
- Agency for Social and Welfare Services, City of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Olav Dalgard
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kjersti Ulstein
- Agency for Social and Welfare Services, City of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Hanne Sørli
- Agency for Social and Welfare Services, City of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Øystein Backe
- Agency for Social and Welfare Services, City of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tarjei Foshaug
- Agency for Social and Welfare Services, City of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Linda Elise Couëssurel Wüsthoff
- Unit for Clinical Research on Addictions, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Håvard Midgard
- Department of Gastroenterology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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Tookes HE, Bartholomew TS, Sugar SES, Plesons MD, Bluthenthal RN, Wenger LD, Patel SV, Kral AH, Lambdin BH. Updates on syringe coverage and service uptake among needle and syringe programs in the United States, 2019-2020. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2024; 123:104289. [PMID: 38071932 PMCID: PMC10878422 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As injection drug use has increased in the US, so too has the prevalence of receptive syringe sharing. Since the 1980s, Needle and Syringe Programs (NSPs) have been an important source of clean injection equipment and disposal of used syringes. This study reports national syringe coverage and examines the impact of program attributes on organizational-level service uptake, defined as number of syringes distributed per participant contact per year. METHODS In 2019 and 2020, we administered an annual cross-sectional survey to NSPs operating in the US (n = 260). A national estimate of coverage was calculated by dividing the total number of syringes distributed by the 2019 and 2020 population estimate of people who inject drugs (PWID). Frequency distributions and percentages were calculated for categorical variables (e.g., funding, census region, distribution policy/modality), and median and interquartile ranges (IQR) were calculated for continuous variables (e.g., participant contacts, syringes distributed). Bivariate and multivariable mixed effects logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratio associated with organizational characteristics on increasing service uptake at the NSP level. RESULTS From 2019 to 2020, the total number of participant contacts by NSPs increased from 871,976 to 898,891, and the number of syringes distributed increased from 92,648,529 to 113,071,748. The national coverage estimate increased from 29.5 (95 % CI = 15.0, 58.2) to 35.8 (95 % CI = 18.2, 70.6) syringes per PWID. Fifty-eight percent of NSPs increased service uptake in 2020 as compared to the previous year. NSPs that received government funding and NSPs that changed to a less restrictive syringe distribution policy were more likely to increase service uptake (aOR 1.80, 95 % CI = 1.01, 3.22 and aOR 3.33, 95 % CI = 1.11, 9.94, respectively). Syringe distribution modalities also diversified, with more NSPs reaching participants via backpacking/outreach, fixed site pop-ups, mobile delivery, mail-based delivery, leaving supplies out, and secondary distribution. CONCLUSION Both governmental investment in harm reduction programming and needs-based distribution of syringes increased service uptake and thus should be expanded and sustained to reduce harms associated with injection drug use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hansel E Tookes
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Tyler S Bartholomew
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA.
| | - Sabrina E Soto Sugar
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Marina D Plesons
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | | | | | | | - Alex H Kral
- RTI International, Berkeley, CA, United States
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Sarker MS. People who inject drugs: testing and treatment of HIV and HCV. Lancet Glob Health 2023; 11:e1832-e1833. [PMID: 37973326 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(23)00487-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Md Safiullah Sarker
- Virology Laboratory, Programme for HIV and AIDS, Infectious Diseases Division, Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh.
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Hajarizadeh B, Kairouz A, Ottaviano S, Ireland J, Willing A, Cunningham E, Webb P, Colledge-Frisby S, Wheeler A, Leung J, Tran LT, Price O, Vickerman P, Farrell M, Hickman M, Dore GJ, Bergenström A, Degenhardt L, Grebely J. Global, regional, and country-level coverage of testing and treatment for HIV and hepatitis C infection among people who inject drugs: a systematic review. Lancet Glob Health 2023; 11:e1885-e1898. [PMID: 37973339 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(23)00461-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People who inject drugs are disproportionately affected by HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, while there is little global data on HIV and HCV testing and treatment coverage of this population. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate country-level, regional, and global coverage of HIV and HCV testing and treatment among people who inject drugs. METHODS We did a systematic review, and searched bibliographic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO) and grey literature for studies published between Jan 1, 2017, and April 30, 2022, that evaluated the proportion of people who inject drugs who received testing or treatment for HIV or HCV. For each country, we estimated the proportion of people who inject drugs tested for HIV antibodies in the past 12 months (recent), people who inject drugs ever tested for HCV antibodies and HCV RNA, people who inject drugs with HIV currently receiving antiretroviral therapy, and people who inject drugs with HCV ever receiving HCV antiviral treatment. Regional and global estimates, weighted by the population size of people who inject drugs, were generated where sufficient data were available. This study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020173974). FINDINGS 512 documents reported data eligible for analyses, including 337 peer-reviewed articles, 27 conference abstracts or presentations, and 148 documents from grey literature or supplementary searches. Data of recent HIV antibody testing were available for 67 countries and ever having had HCV antibody testing were available for 49 countries. Globally, an estimated 48·8% of people who inject drugs were recently tested for HIV antibodies (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 43·3-54·2%; range 0·9-86·0%), and 47·1% had ever been tested for HCV antibodies (95% UI 43·4-51·0%; range 0·0-93·3%). HCV RNA testing data were available from three countries. Coverage of HIV antibody testing was high (>75%) in four countries and for HCV antibody testing in 15 countries. The estimated uptake of current HIV treatment (18 countries) ranged from 2·6% to 81·9%, and the estimated uptake of ever having HCV treatment (23 countries) ranged from 1·8% to 88·6% across countries. Uptake of HIV treatment was high in two countries, and of HCV treatment in one country. INTERPRETATION HIV and HCV testing and treatment uptake among people who inject drugs was highly variable, and suboptimal in most countries. Strategies to improve access to HIV and HCV care among people who inject drugs and the availability of public health surveillance are urgently required. FUNDING Australian National Health and Medical Research Council and UK National Institute for Health and Care Research Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behzad Hajarizadeh
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Abe Kairouz
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sophie Ottaviano
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jeremy Ireland
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Alex Willing
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Evan Cunningham
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Paige Webb
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Samantha Colledge-Frisby
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Alice Wheeler
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Janni Leung
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; National Centre For Youth Substance Use Research, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
| | - Lucy T Tran
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Olivia Price
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Peter Vickerman
- Population Health Science, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, England
| | - Michael Farrell
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Matthew Hickman
- Population Health Science, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, England
| | - Gregory J Dore
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Anne Bergenström
- European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jason Grebely
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Demant J, Krohn-Dehli L, Van der Veen J, Øvrehus A, Lazarus JV, Weis N. Peer-delivered point-of-care testing and linkage to treatment for hepatitis C virus infection among marginalized populations through a mobile clinic in Copenhagen, Denmark. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2023; 121:104185. [PMID: 37774576 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Globally, many people with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are marginalized and have very limited access to traditional healthcare services, including HCV testing and treatment. Models of care attuned to the needs of the marginalized population at risk are needed. This study aimed to evaluate the testing and treatment uptake of a community-based, peer-led model of care offering point-of-care testing. METHODS In this interventional cohort study, people at risk of HCV infection were recruited between May 2019 and December 2021 at a community-based, peer-led mobile clinic. During a single visit, participants were offered a point-of-care HCV antibody test, and, if antibodies were detected, an additional RNA test. Participants with detectable HCV RNA were linked with peer-assisted referral to a 'fast-track' clinic at a major hospital. The primary outcomes were the number of people engaged in testing and the proportion who initiated treatment and achieved a sustained virologic response (SVR). RESULTS We tested 728 individuals. Of those, 208 (29%) were positive for HCV antibodies, and 114 (15%) were HCV RNA detectable. Of the 114, 80 (70%) initiated treatment, and 79 (99%) achieved SVR. The main reason for not initiating treatment was non-Danish citizenship with no legal access to health care. CONCLUSION This study found that a peer-led point-of-care service is a model of care that can engage marginalized groups in HCV testing and linkage to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Demant
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Kettegaard Alle 30, Hvidovre 2650, Denmark
| | - Louise Krohn-Dehli
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Kettegaard Alle 30, Hvidovre 2650, Denmark
| | | | - Anne Øvrehus
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Odense University Hospital, J. B. Winsløws Vej 4, Odense 5000, Denmark
| | - Jeffrey V Lazarus
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clinic, University of C/ Rossellón, 132. ES-08036, Barcelona, Spain; CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH), New York, NY, USA
| | - Nina Weis
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Kettegaard Alle 30, Hvidovre 2650, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, Copenhagen DK-2200, Denmark.
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Fontaine G, Presseau J, Bruneau J, Patey AM, van Allen Z, Mortazhejri S, Høj SB, Hung JHC, Grimshaw JM. "Apparently, you can only be treated once": A qualitative study exploring perceptions of hepatitis C and access to treatment among people who inject drugs visiting a needle and syringe program. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2023; 121:104124. [PMID: 37451942 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Access to hepatitis C care within harm reduction community organizations for people who inject drugs is crucial for achieving hepatitis C elimination. However, there is a lack of data on how perceptions of hepatitis C and treatment have changed among individuals visiting these organizations during the era of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). This study aimed to explore the perceptions of hepatitis C and treatment access for (re)infection among individuals visiting a needle and syringe program in Canada. METHODS Eighteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals who recently injected drugs and visited a needle and syringe program. The interviews were guided by the Common-Sense Self-Regulation Model (CS-SRM) and aimed to explore cognitive and emotional representations of hepatitis C, perceptions of treatment, coping strategies and sources of information. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and coded using thematic analysis. RESULTS Most of the participants identified as male, were of white ethnicity and had a median age of 45. While most underscored the therapeutic advancements and the effectiveness of DAAs, they expressed confusion regarding the mechanisms of access to treatment, especially in cases of reinfection. Perceptions of the controllability of hepatitis C were significantly influenced by the stigmatizing discourse surrounding treatment access, cost, and public coverage. This influence extended to their intentions for seeking treatment. Participants emphasized the social consequences of hepatitis C, including stigma. Emotional representations of hepatitis C evolved along the care cascade, encompassing initial shock at diagnosis and later fear of reinfection following successful treatment. CONCLUSION Nearly a decade after the advent of DAAs, misinformation about treatment access persists. Findings underscore a nexus of internalized and institutionalized stigma associated with hepatitis C, drug use, and the challenges of cost and access to treatment, pointing to a clear need for education and service delivery optimisation in harm reduction community organizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Fontaine
- Centre for Implementation Research, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, L1255, Box 711, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1H 8L6; Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5; The Kirby Institute, UNSW, Wallace Wurth Building (C27), Cnr High St & Botany St, Kensington, NSW, Australia 2052.
| | - Justin Presseau
- Centre for Implementation Research, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, L1255, Box 711, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1H 8L6; School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, 600 Peter Morand Crescent, Room 101, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1G 5Z3; School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier, Vanier Hall, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1N 6N5
| | - Julie Bruneau
- Research Centre, Université de Montréal Hospital Centre, 900 Saint Denis St, Montreal, QC, Canada, H2×0A9; Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Université de Montréal, 2900, boulevard Édouard-Montpetit, Montréal, QC, Canada, H3T 1J4
| | - Andrea M Patey
- Centre for Implementation Research, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, L1255, Box 711, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1H 8L6; School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, 600 Peter Morand Crescent, Room 101, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1G 5Z3; School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen's University, Louise D Acton Building, 31 George St, Kingston, ON, Canada K7L 3N6
| | - Zack van Allen
- Centre for Implementation Research, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, L1255, Box 711, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1H 8L6; School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier, Vanier Hall, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1N 6N5
| | - Sameh Mortazhejri
- Centre for Implementation Research, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, L1255, Box 711, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1H 8L6; School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, 600 Peter Morand Crescent, Room 101, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1G 5Z3
| | - Stine Bordier Høj
- Research Centre, Université de Montréal Hospital Centre, 900 Saint Denis St, Montreal, QC, Canada, H2×0A9
| | - Jui-Hsia Cleo Hung
- Centre for Implementation Research, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, L1255, Box 711, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1H 8L6; School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, 600 Peter Morand Crescent, Room 101, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1G 5Z3
| | - Jeremy M Grimshaw
- Centre for Implementation Research, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, L1255, Box 711, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1H 8L6; Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5; School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, 600 Peter Morand Crescent, Room 101, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1G 5Z3
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Whiteside B, Dunn M. Voices represented and voices silenced: Represented voices in the media coverage of the implementation of a supervised injecting facility. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2023; 121:104213. [PMID: 37776603 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Victoria's first medically supervised injecting room (MSIR) has remained controversial despite mounting evidence in support of the facility. The opposition to a policy idea is subject to a myriad of factors including the media. Favouring the opinions of various actors, the media are a fundamental element of the narrative formation process. In this article, we examine the voices represented and voice silenced in print news media and the possible effects of such reporting. METHODS A quantitative content and qualitative thematic analysis of Victorian print media (n=645) focusing on the implementation and continued operation of North Richmond Community Health's medically supervised injecting room was conducted. RESULTS The representations of the MSIR were debated by three predominant actors - politicians, public, and residents. Politicians largely relied on the 'saving lives' rhetoric when supporting the facility. In addition, competing representations of 'public amenity' were presented by both advocates and proponents of the MSIR. We found the voices of people who inject drugs were inadequately represented within the data. Instead, overdose statistics were featured as were discursive descriptions of people who inject drugs such as 'addicts', 'junkies', and 'druggies'. CONCLUSION Despite people who inject drugs being the population the MSIR is designed to benefit, their experiences and voices were lacking, highlighting social power structures, denying the silenced power, and obstructing social change. Overdose rates were consistently presented as numbers, negating personal experiences and lacking meaningful debate. Further, negative discourse referring to people who inject drugs may have implications regarding internalised and externalised stigma and drug policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Whiteside
- School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia; Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Australia.
| | - Matthew Dunn
- School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia; Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Australia
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50
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Falade-Nwulia O, Agee T, Kelly SM, Park JN, Schwartz S, Hsu J, Schweizer N, Jones J, Keruly J, Shah N, Lesko CR, Lucas GM, Sulkowski M. Implementing a peer-supported, integrated strategy for substance use disorder care in an outpatient infectious disease clinic is associated with improved patient outcomes. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2023; 121:104191. [PMID: 37740989 PMCID: PMC10844957 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Substance use disorder (SUD) and infectious disease (ID) care integration may lead to improvements in SUD and ID outcomes. We assessed implementation of integrating peer-supported SUD care in an outpatient ID setting. METHODS In this implementation study, we describe REcovery in Specialty care Through medication and OutREach (RESTORE), a low-threshold SUD program implemented in a Baltimore outpatient ID clinic. Key program components were clinician training and support in SUD care, prescription of SUD treatment medications, and peer-based psychosocial support provided by peer recovery specialists. We assessed clinician adoption of RESTORE and compared patient outcomes from baseline to 6 months. RESULTS Between January 2019 and January 2022, the number of ID clinicians (N=61) who prescribed buprenorphine increased eightfold from 3 (5%) to 24 (39%). Of 258 ID patients referred to RESTORE, 182 (71%) engaged, 137 consented to study participation. Mean age in the study sample was 52.1 (SD=10.4), 63% were male, 84% were Black/African-American. Among 127 (93%) who completed 6-month follow-up, fewer participants reported illicit/non-prescribed opioid use in the past 30 days at follow-up (32%) compared to baseline (52%; p<0.001). Similar reductions were noted for cocaine use (47% to 34%; p=0.006), emergency department visits (23% to 9%; p=0.002), and inpatient hospitalizations (15% to 7%; p=0.025). CONCLUSION SUD care integration into an outpatient ID care setting using a peer-supported implementation strategy was adopted by clinicians and improved clinical outcomes for patients. This strategy is a promising approach to treating people with infectious diseases and SUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwaseun Falade-Nwulia
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 5200 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21224.
| | - Tracy Agee
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 5200 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21224
| | - Sharon M Kelly
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 5200 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21224
| | - Ju Nyeong Park
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, 1125 N. Main St, Providence, RI 02904
| | - Sheree Schwartz
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Jeffrey Hsu
- Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287
| | - Nicholas Schweizer
- Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287
| | - Joyce Jones
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 5200 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21224
| | - Jeanne Keruly
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 5200 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21224
| | - Nishant Shah
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Maryland, 29 South Paca St, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Catherine R Lesko
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Gregory M Lucas
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 5200 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21224
| | - Mark Sulkowski
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 5200 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21224
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