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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 PMCID: PMC7616700 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104324] [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: 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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Edmundson C, Croxford S, Emanuel E, Njoroge J, Ijaz S, Hope V, Phipps E, Desai M. Recent increases in crack injection and associated risk factors among people who inject psychoactive drugs in England and Wales. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2023:104262. [PMID: 38030466 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104262] [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: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Crack use is higher in the United Kingdom (UK) than other European countries. Crack is a stimulant with a short half-life, requiring frequent injection to maintain its euphoric effects, thus increasing the risk of blood borne viruses (BBVs) and skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs). We assessed trends in the prevalence of current crack injection among people who inject drugs (PWID) and investigated harms and other factors associated with its use. METHODS We used data from the annual Unlinked Anonymous Monitoring Survey of PWID, which recruits people who have ever injected psychoactive drugs through specialist services. Participants provide a biological sample and self-complete a questionnaire. We included participants from England and Wales who had injected in the past month. We examined trends in crack injection over time (2011-2021) and factors associated with crack injection using multivariable logistic regression (2019-2021). RESULTS The proportion of people self-reporting crack injection in the past month almost doubled between 2011-2020/21, from 34 % (416/1237) to 57 % (483/850). Crack injection was more frequently reported by males than females (adjusted odds ratio 1.46, 95 % confidence interval: 1.15-1.87) and injected alongside heroin (6.67, 4.06-10.97) more frequently than alone. Crack injection was independently associated with injecting equipment sharing (1.64, 1.30-2.07), groin injection (2.03, 1.60-2.56) in the past month, overdosing in the past year (1.90, 1.42-2.53), homelessness in the past year (1.42, 1.14-1.77) and ever having hepatitis C infection (1.64, 1.31-2.06). CONCLUSION Crack injection has increased significantly over the past decade in England and Wales. People injecting crack are more likely to engage in behaviours that increase the risk of BBV and SSTI acquisition, such as needle/syringe sharing, groin injection and polydrug use. Harm reduction and drug treatment services should adapt to support the needs of this growing population of people injecting stimulants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Edmundson
- National Infection Service, UK Health Security Agency, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ, UK.
| | - Sara Croxford
- National Infection Service, UK Health Security Agency, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ, UK; St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Warrington Rd, Rainhill, Prescot, L35 5DR, UK
| | - Eva Emanuel
- National Infection Service, UK Health Security Agency, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ, UK
| | - Jacquelyn Njoroge
- National Infection Service, UK Health Security Agency, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ, UK
| | - Samreen Ijaz
- National Infection Service, UK Health Security Agency, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ, UK
| | - Vivian Hope
- National Infection Service, UK Health Security Agency, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ, UK; Public Health Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Henry Cotton Building 15-21 Webster St, Liverpool, L3 2ET, UK
| | - Emily Phipps
- National Infection Service, UK Health Security Agency, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ, UK
| | - Monica Desai
- National Infection Service, UK Health Security Agency, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ, UK
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Lewer D, Croxford S, Desai M, Emanuel E, Hope VD, McAuley A, Phipps E, Tweed EJ. The characteristics of people who inject drugs in the United Kingdom: changes in age, duration, and incidence of injecting, 1980-2019, using evidence from repeated cross-sectional surveys. Addiction 2022; 117:2471-2480. [PMID: 35546310 PMCID: PMC9544601 DOI: 10.1111/add.15911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Mortality and drug treatment data suggest that the median age of people who inject drugs is increasing. We aimed to describe changes in the characteristics of people injecting drugs in the United Kingdom (UK). DESIGN Repeat cross-sectional surveys and modelling. SETTING Low-threshold services in the United Kingdom such as needle and syringe programmes. PARTICIPANTS A total of 79 900 people who recently injected psychoactive drugs in the United Kingdom, recruited as part of the Unlinked Anonymous Monitoring Survey (England, Wales, Northern Ireland, 1990-2019) and Needle Exchange Surveillance Initiative (Scotland, 2008-2019). MEASUREMENTS Age of people currently injecting, age at first injection, duration of injecting (each 1990-2019) and estimates of new people who started injecting (1980-2019). FINDINGS In England, Wales and Northern Ireland between 1990 and 2019, the median age of people injecting increased from 27 (interquartile range [IQR], 24-31) to 40 (IQR, 34-46); median age at first injection increased from 22 (IQR, 19-25) to 33 (IQR, 28-39); and median years of injecting increased from 7 (IQR, 3-11) to 18 (IQR, 9-23). Values in Scotland and England were similar after 2008. The estimated number that started injecting annually in England increased from 5470 (95% prediction interval [PrI] 3120-6940) in 1980 to a peak of 10 270 (95% PrI, 8980-12 780) in 1998, and then decreased to 2420 (95% PrI, 1320-5580) in 2019. The number in Scotland followed a similar pattern, increasing from 1220 (95% PrI, 740-2430) in 1980 to a peak of 3080 (95% PrI, 2160-3350) in 1998, then decreased to a 270 (95% PrI, 130-600) in 2018. The timing of the peak differed between regions, with earlier peaks in London and the North West of England. CONCLUSIONS In the United Kingdom, large cohorts started injecting psychoactive drugs in the 1980s and 1990s and many still inject today. Relatively few people started in more recent years. This has led to changes in the population injecting drugs, including an older average age and longer injecting histories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Lewer
- Public Health and Clinical DirectorateUK Health Security AgencyLondonUK,Department of Epidemiology and Public HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUK,Clinical and Protecting Health DirectoratePublic Health Scotland, UKGlasgowUK
| | - Sara Croxford
- Public Health and Clinical DirectorateUK Health Security AgencyLondonUK
| | - Monica Desai
- Public Health and Clinical DirectorateUK Health Security AgencyLondonUK
| | - Eva Emanuel
- Public Health and Clinical DirectorateUK Health Security AgencyLondonUK
| | - Vivian D. Hope
- Public Health and Clinical DirectorateUK Health Security AgencyLondonUK,Public Health InstituteLiverpool John Moores UniversityLiverpoolUK
| | - Andrew McAuley
- Clinical and Protecting Health DirectoratePublic Health Scotland, UKGlasgowUK,School of Health and Life SciencesGlasgow Caledonian UniversityGlasgowUK
| | - Emily Phipps
- Public Health and Clinical DirectorateUK Health Security AgencyLondonUK
| | - Emily J. Tweed
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences UnitUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
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Yuan JM, Croxford S, Viviani L, Emanuel E, Phipps E, Desai M. Investigating the sociodemographic and behavioural factors associated with hepatitis C virus testing amongst people who inject drugs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland: A quantitative cross-sectional analysis. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2022; 109:103821. [PMID: 35994940 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2022.103821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission in the UK is driven by injecting drug use. We explore HCV testing uptake amongst people who inject drugs (PWID) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and identify factors associated with i) ever having an HCV test amongst people who have ever injected drugs, and ii) recently having an HCV test (within the current or previous year) amongst people who currently inject drugs (reported injecting drugs within the last year). METHODS We analysed data from the 2019 'Unlinked Anonymous Monitoring Survey' of PWID, using logistic regression. RESULTS Of 3,127 PWID, 2,065 reported injecting drugs within the last year. Most (86.7%) PWID had a lifetime history of HCV testing. In multivariable analysis, higher odds of ever testing were associated with: female sex (aOR=1.54; 95%CI 1.11-2.14), injecting duration ≥3 years (aOR=2.94; 95%CI 2.13-4.05), ever receiving used needles/syringes (aOR=1.74; 95%CI 1.29-2.36), ever being on opioid agonist treatment (aOR=2.91; 95%CI 2.01-4.21), ever being imprisoned (aOR=1.86; 95%CI 1.40-2.48) and ever being homeless (aOR=1.54; 95%CI 1.14-2.07). Amongst PWID who had injected drugs within the last year, 49.9% had recently undertaken an HCV test. After adjustment, factors associated with higher odds of undertaking a recent HCV test included: injecting crack in the last year (aOR=1.29; 95%CI 1.03-1.61), experiencing a non-fatal overdose in the last year (aOR=1.39; 95%CI 1.05-1.85), ever being on opioid agonist treatment (aOR=1.48; 95%CI 0.97-2.25), receiving HCV information in the last year (aOR=1.99; 95%CI 1.49-2.65) and using a healthcare service in the last year (aOR=1.80; 95%CI 1.21-2.67). CONCLUSION Results suggest that PWID who have experienced homelessness and incarceration - amongst the most vulnerable and marginalised in the PWID population - are engaging with HCV testing, but overall there remain missed testing opportunities. Recent initiates to injecting have highest HCV infection risk but lower odds of testing, and peer-education may help target this group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Min Yuan
- UK Health Security Agency, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ, UK.
| | - Sara Croxford
- UK Health Security Agency, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ, UK
| | - Laura Viviani
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Eva Emanuel
- UK Health Security Agency, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ, UK
| | - Emily Phipps
- UK Health Security Agency, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ, UK
| | - Monica Desai
- UK Health Security Agency, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ, UK
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Croxford S, Emanuel E, Shah A, Chau C, Hope V, Desai M, Ijaz S, Shute J, Edmundson C, Harris RJ, Delpech V, Phipps E. Epidemiology of HIV infection and associated behaviours among people who inject drugs in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland: Nearly 40 years on. HIV Med 2022; 23:978-989. [PMID: 35352446 PMCID: PMC9545638 DOI: 10.1111/hiv.13297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Introduction People who inject drugs are at high risk of blood‐borne infections. We describe the epidemiology of HIV among people who inject drugs in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (EW&NI) since 1981. Methods National HIV surveillance data were used to describe trends in diagnoses (1981–2019), prevalence (1990–2019), and behaviours (1990–2019) among people who inject drugs aged ≥15 years in EW&NI. HIV care and treatment uptake were assessed among those attending in 2019. Results Over the past four decades, the prevalence of HIV among people who inject drugs in EW&NI remained low (range: 0.64%–1.81%). Overall, 4978 people who inject drugs were diagnosed with HIV (3.2% of cases). Diagnoses peaked at 234 in 1987, decreasing to 78 in 2019; the majority were among white men born in the UK/Europe (90%), though the epidemic diversified over time. Late diagnosis (CD4 <350 cells/µl) was common (2010–2019: 52% [429/832]). Of those who last attended for HIV care in 2019, 97% (1503/1550) were receiving HIV treatment and 90% (1375/1520) had a suppressed viral load (<200 copies/ml). HIV testing uptake has steadily increased among people who inject drugs (32% since 1990). However, in 2019, 18% (246/1404) of those currently injecting reported never testing. The proportion of people currently injecting reporting sharing needles/syringes decreased from 1999 to 2012, before increasing to 20% (288/1426) in 2019, with sharing of any injecting equipment at 37% (523/1429). Conclusion The HIV epidemic among people who inject drugs in EW&NI has remained relatively contained compared with in other countries, most likely because of the prompt implementation of an effective national harm reduction programme. However, risk behaviours and varied access to preventive interventions among people who inject drugs indicate the potential for HIV outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ammi Shah
- UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | | | - Vivian Hope
- UK Health Security Agency, London, UK.,Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
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6
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Iversen J, Qureshi SUH, Zafar M, Busz M, Maher L. Adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV positive men who inject drugs in Pakistan. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2021; 96:103281. [PMID: 34016509 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People who inject drugs (PWID) living with HIV have poorer adherence to HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART) and elevated mortality compared to other populations. Little is known about factors associated with adherence among PWID in low-and middle-income countries, including in countries where opioid agonist therapy (OAT) is unavailable. We aimed to estimate ART adherence among men who inject drugs (MWID) living with HIV in Pakistan and identify factors independently associated with adherence. METHODS Nai Zindagi Trust (NZT) provides a range of HIV prevention, testing and treatment services to PWID in Pakistan. This study utilized data from HIV positive MWID who received ART refill/s from public sector ART Centres via NZT's Social Mobilizer Adherence Support Unit between September 2016 and December 2018. Multivariable logistic regression modelled factors independently associated with ART adherence. RESULTS Among 5,482 HIV positive MWID registered with NZT who had attended the AAU and were supplied with ART refills between September 2016 and December 2018., 55% were adherent to ART. Independent predictors of adherence were being married (AOR 1.38, 95% CI:1.23-1.55, p<0.001) and >5 years of education compared to those with no education (AOR 1.19, 95% CI:1.05-1.35, p = 0.005). MWID living on the street at night had lower adjusted odds of ART adherence (AOR 0.75, 95% CI:0.62-0.91, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS Findings indicate that MWID living with HIV continue to face barriers to ART adherence in Pakistan. Despite considerable evidence supporting the impact of OAT in increasing ART adherence among PWID, OAT remains illegal and inaccessible in Pakistan. Evidence-based interventions, including OAT, are needed to increase adherence and improve clinical outcomes, health equity and survival among PWID living with HIV in Pakistan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Iversen
- Viral Hepatitis Epidemiology and Prevention Program, The Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, Australia.
| | | | | | | | - Lisa Maher
- Viral Hepatitis Epidemiology and Prevention Program, The Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
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7
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Geddes L, Iversen J, Wand H, Esmaeili A, Tsui J, Hellard M, Dore G, Grebely J, Dietze P, Bruneau J, Prins M, Morris MD, Shoukry NH, Lloyd AR, Kim AY, Lauer G, Cox AL, Page K, Maher L. Sex Discrepancies in the Protective Effect of Opioid Agonist Therapy on Incident Hepatitis C Infection. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 70:123-131. [PMID: 30816419 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciz162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While opioid agonist therapy (OAT) reduces the risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) acquisition among people who inject drugs (PWID), protective effects may be attenuated in females. We used pooled data from an international collaboration of prospective cohorts to assess sex disparities in HCV incidence among PWID exposed to OAT. METHODS Independent predictors of HCV infection were identified using Cox regression models with random effects after accounting for the clustering effect of study sites. Unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are presented in sex-specific analyses. RESULTS Among 701 participants exposed to OAT, HCV incidence was 16.5/100 person-years of observation (PYO) (95% CI, 13.1-20.7) in females and 7.6/100 PYO (95% CI, 6.0-9.5) in males (female:male adjusted HR [aHR], 1.80 [95% CI, 1.37-2.22]; P < .001). Factors associated with HCV acquisition among females exposed to OAT included nonwhite race (aHR, 1.79 [95% CI, 1.25-2.56]; P = .001), unstable housing (aHR, 4.00 [95% CI, 3.62-4.41]; P < .001), daily or more frequent injection (aHR, 1.45 [95% CI, 1.01-2.08]; P = .042), and receptive syringe sharing (aHR, 1.43 [95% CI, 1.33-1.53]; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Female PWID exposed to OAT are twice as likely as their male counterparts to acquire HCV. While there is a need for better understanding of sex differences in immune function and opioid pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters, structural and behavioral interventions that target women are required to bolster the efficacy of OAT in preventing HCV transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Geddes
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Australia
| | - Jenny Iversen
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Australia
| | - Handan Wand
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Australia
| | - Aryan Esmaeili
- Clinical Research Education, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York
| | - Judith Tsui
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle
| | | | - Gregory Dore
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Australia
| | - Jason Grebely
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Australia
| | - Paul Dietze
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Julie Bruneau
- Le Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Université de Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Maria Prins
- Cluster Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Department of Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, The Netherlands
| | | | - Naglaa H Shoukry
- Le Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Université de Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Andrew R Lloyd
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Georg Lauer
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Andrea L Cox
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Kimberly Page
- University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque
| | - Lisa Maher
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Australia
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Bartholomew TS, Onugha J, Bullock C, Scaramutti C, Patel H, Forrest DW, Feaster DJ, Tookes HE. Baseline prevalence and correlates of HIV and HCV infection among people who inject drugs accessing a syringe services program; Miami, FL. Harm Reduct J 2020; 17:40. [PMID: 32522201 PMCID: PMC7288490 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-020-00385-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Blood-borne viral infections, such as HIV and hepatitis C (HCV), are common infections among people who inject drugs (PWID). This study aims to determine the prevalence of HIV and HCV infection among PWID accessing the first legal syringe services program (SSP) in the state of Florida, along with examining baseline correlates of HIV and HCV infection. Methods Baseline behavioral enrollment assessments of 837 participants accessing an SSP for the first time were analyzed. Patients self-reporting or testing HIV or HCV positive at the enrollment visit were included. Socio-demographic, drug use, and injection-related risk behaviors in the last 30 days were compared across groups defined by all combinations of HIV and HCV serostatus. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess correlates of baseline HCV and HIV infection independently. Results Overall prevalence for HCV and HIV infection were 44.4% and 10.2%, respectively. After adjusting for confounders, the most significant correlates of baseline HCV infection were age (aOR = 1.01), lower education level (aOR = 1.13), currently homeless (aOR = 1.16), injecting more than seven times a day (aOR = 1.14), reusing syringes (aOR = 1.18), and sharing injection equipment (aOR = 1.13). The most significant predictors of baseline HIV infection were age (aOR = 1.01), non-Hispanic Black race (aOR = 1.28), Hispanic ethnicity (aOR = 1.12), gay or bisexual orientation (aOR = 1.22), and methamphetamine injection (aOR = 1.22). In addition, heroin injection (aOR = 0.92) was significantly associated with a lower odds of HIV infection. Discussion/conclusion Baseline behavioral predictors differed between HIV infection and HCV infection among participants accessing syringe services. Understanding the risk factors associated with each infection should be considered when developing additional harm reduction interventions tailored for diverse PWID populations served at SSPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler S Bartholomew
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, 1120 NW 14th St, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Jason Onugha
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, 1120 NW 14th St, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Corinne Bullock
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, 1120 NW 14th St, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Carolina Scaramutti
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, 1120 NW 14th St, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Hardik Patel
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, 1120 NW 14th St, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - David W Forrest
- Department of Anthropology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Daniel J Feaster
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, 1120 NW 14th St, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Hansel E Tookes
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA.
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Are there missed opportunities for vaccinating against hepatitis B among people who inject drugs in the UK? Epidemiol Infect 2020; 147:e244. [PMID: 31364574 PMCID: PMC6805756 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268819001353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Sustaining the impact of hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination on incidence and prevalence of HBV infection requires increasing and maintaining the uptake of vaccine among those at risk. In recent years, the level of vaccine uptake among people who inject drugs (PWID) in the UK has levelled-off. Data (2015–2016) from the national unlinked-anonymous monitoring survey of PWID, an annual survey that collects data from PWID across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, were used to examine HBV vaccine uptake. Data from participants who had injected drugs during the previous year were used to investigate sources of hepatitis B vaccine doses as well as factors associated with vaccine uptake. Among the 3175 anti-HBc-negative participants, 3138 (99%) reported their vaccination status; 23% (714) reported no vaccine uptake. Among those not vaccinated, 447 (63%) reported being sexually active and 116 (16%) reported sharing needles and syringes. Majority of those not vaccinated reported accessing services in the previous year that could have provided hepatitis B vaccine doses. These missed opportunities for vaccinating of PWID indicate a need for additional targeted interventions.
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10
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Miller-Dickson MD, Meszaros VA, Almagro-Moreno S, Brandon Ogbunugafor C. Hepatitis C virus modelled as an indirectly transmitted infection highlights the centrality of injection drug equipment in disease dynamics. J R Soc Interface 2019; 16:20190334. [PMID: 31480919 PMCID: PMC6769301 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2019.0334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic often occurs through the persistence of injection drug use. Mathematical models have been useful in understanding various aspects of the HCV epidemic, and especially, the importance of new treatment measures. Until now, however, few models have attempted to understand HCV in terms of an interaction between the various actors in an HCV outbreak-hosts, viruses and the needle injection equipment. In this study, we apply perspectives from the ecology of infectious diseases to model the transmission of HCV among a population of injection drug users. The products of our model suggest that modelling HCV as an indirectly transmitted infection-where the injection equipment serves as an environmental reservoir for infection-facilitates a more nuanced understanding of disease dynamics, by animating the underappreciated actors and interactions that frame disease. This lens may allow us to understand how certain public health interventions (e.g. needle exchange programmes) influence HCV epidemics. Lastly, we argue that this model is of particular importance in the light of the modern opioid epidemic, which has already been associated with outbreaks of viral diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Victor A. Meszaros
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Brown University, Providence, RI 02906, USA
| | - Salvador Almagro-Moreno
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA
- National Center for Integrated Coastal Research, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
| | - C. Brandon Ogbunugafor
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Brown University, Providence, RI 02906, USA
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11
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Hickman M, Dillon JF, Elliott L, De Angelis D, Vickerman P, Foster G, Donnan P, Eriksen A, Flowers P, Goldberg D, Hollingworth W, Ijaz S, Liddell D, Mandal S, Martin N, Beer LJZ, Drysdale K, Fraser H, Glass R, Graham L, Gunson RN, Hamilton E, Harris H, Harris M, Harris R, Heinsbroek E, Hope V, Horwood J, Inglis SK, Innes H, Lane A, Meadows J, McAuley A, Metcalfe C, Migchelsen S, Murray A, Myring G, Palmateer NE, Presanis A, Radley A, Ramsay M, Samartsidis P, Simmons R, Sinka K, Vojt G, Ward Z, Whiteley D, Yeung A, Hutchinson SJ. Evaluating the population impact of hepatitis C direct acting antiviral treatment as prevention for people who inject drugs (EPIToPe) - a natural experiment (protocol). BMJ Open 2019; 9:e029538. [PMID: 31551376 PMCID: PMC6773339 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-029538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Revised: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the second largest contributor to liver disease in the UK, with injecting drug use as the main risk factor among the estimated 200 000 people currently infected. Despite effective prevention interventions, chronic HCV prevalence remains around 40% among people who inject drugs (PWID). New direct-acting antiviral (DAA) HCV therapies combine high cure rates (>90%) and short treatment duration (8 to 12 weeks). Theoretical mathematical modelling evidence suggests HCV treatment scale-up can prevent transmission and substantially reduce HCV prevalence/incidence among PWID. Our primary aim is to generate empirical evidence on the effectiveness of HCV 'Treatment as Prevention' (TasP) in PWID. METHODS AND ANALYSIS We plan to establish a natural experiment with Tayside, Scotland, as a single intervention site where HCV care pathways are being expanded (including specialist drug treatment clinics, needle and syringe programmes (NSPs), pharmacies and prison) and HCV treatment for PWID is being rapidly scaled-up. Other sites in Scotland and England will act as potential controls. Over 2 years from 2017/2018, at least 500 PWID will be treated in Tayside, which simulation studies project will reduce chronic HCV prevalence among PWID by 62% (from 26% to 10%) and HCV incidence will fall by approximately 2/3 (from 4.2 per 100 person-years (p100py) to 1.4 p100py). Treatment response and re-infection rates will be monitored. We will conduct focus groups and interviews with service providers and patients that accept and decline treatment to identify barriers and facilitators in implementing TasP. We will conduct longitudinal interviews with up to 40 PWID to assess whether successful HCV treatment alters their perspectives on and engagement with drug treatment and recovery. Trained peer researchers will be involved in data collection and dissemination. The primary outcome - chronic HCV prevalence in PWID - is measured using information from the Needle Exchange Surveillance Initiative survey in Scotland and the Unlinked Anonymous Monitoring Programme in England, conducted at least four times before and three times during and after the intervention. We will adapt Bayesian synthetic control methods (specifically the Causal Impact Method) to generate the cumulative impact of the intervention on chronic HCV prevalence and incidence. We will use a dynamic HCV transmission and economic model to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the HCV TasP intervention, and to estimate the contribution of the scale-up in HCV treatment to observe changes in HCV prevalence. Through the qualitative data we will systematically explore key mechanisms of TasP real world implementation from provider and patient perspectives to develop a manual for scaling up HCV treatment in other settings. We will compare qualitative accounts of drug treatment and recovery with a 'virtual cohort' of PWID linking information on HCV treatment with Scottish Drug treatment databases to test whether DAA treatment improves drug treatment outcomes. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Extending HCV community care pathways is covered by ethics (ERADICATE C, ISRCTN27564683, Super DOT C Trial clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02706223). Ethical approval for extra data collection from patients including health utilities and qualitative interviews has been granted (REC ref: 18/ES/0128) and ISCRCTN registration has been completed (ISRCTN72038467). Our findings will have direct National Health Service and patient relevance; informing prioritisation given to early HCV treatment for PWID. We will present findings to practitioners and policymakers, and support design of an evaluation of HCV TasP in England.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Hickman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - John F Dillon
- Hepatology & Gastroenterology, Clinical & Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | | | - Daniela De Angelis
- MRC Biostatistics Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Peter Vickerman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Graham Foster
- Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
- Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Peter Donnan
- Dundee Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | | | | | - David Goldberg
- Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
- Health Protection Scotland, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Samreen Ijaz
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | | | - Sema Mandal
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Natasha Martin
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, San Diego, UK
| | - Lewis J Z Beer
- Tayside Clinical Trials Unit, Tayside Medical Science Centre, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Kate Drysdale
- Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
- Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Hannah Fraser
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Rachel Glass
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | | | - Rory N Gunson
- West Of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Board, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Helen Harris
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | | | - Ross Harris
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | | | - Vivian Hope
- Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Jeremy Horwood
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Sarah Karen Inglis
- Tayside Clinical Trials Unit, Tayside Medical Science Centre, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Hamish Innes
- Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
- Health Protection Scotland, Glasgow, UK
| | - Athene Lane
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Jade Meadows
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Andrew McAuley
- Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
- Health Protection Scotland, Glasgow, UK
| | - Chris Metcalfe
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | | | | | - Gareth Myring
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Norah E Palmateer
- Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
- Health Protection Scotland, Glasgow, UK
| | - Anne Presanis
- MRC Biostatistics Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Andrew Radley
- Hepatology & Gastroenterology, Clinical & Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
- Directorate of Public Health, NHS Tayside, Dundee, UK
| | - Mary Ramsay
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Pantelis Samartsidis
- MRC Biostatistics Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ruth Simmons
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Katy Sinka
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | | | - Zoe Ward
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | | | - Alan Yeung
- Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
- Health Protection Scotland, Glasgow, UK
| | - Sharon J Hutchinson
- Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
- Health Protection Scotland, Glasgow, UK
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12
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Ireland G, Simmons R, Hickman M, Eastwood B, Ramsay M, Mandal S. Mapping the hepatitis C cascade of care in people attending drug treatment services in England: A data linkage study. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2019; 72:55-60. [PMID: 31257040 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hepatitis C (HCV) infection in England primarily affects people who inject drugs (PWID). We describe persons HCV tested, estimate incidence and establish the cascade of care (CoC) for people engaging with drug services. METHODS Persons testing for HCV in drug services in Sentinel Surveillance of Blood Borne Virus Testing (SSBBV) between 2008 and 2016 were linked with people attending drug services in the National Drug and Treatment Monitoring System (NDTMS). We describe risk characteristics, establish the CoC, and estimate HCV incidence in PWID diagnosed in drug services. RESULTS Of 46,721 persons tested for anti-HCV in SSBBV in drug services, 29,773 (63.7%) linked to NDTMS. Of these, 9100 (30.6%) were antiV positive and anti-HCV positivity was 45.0% in persons reporting urgent housing problems and 43.8% in persons reporting ever injecting. Among persons anti-HCV positive, half had ≥1 positive anti-HCV test. For persons' first anti-HCV positive between 2008 and 2013 (n = 3123), 74.9% were HCV RNA tested, of whom 71.2% were RNA positive, and of these, 14.0% had evidence of interferon-based treatment, with 52.8% achieving cure. Among PWID, HCV incidence was 8.7 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 8.1-9.2). CONCLUSION Through record linkage of surveillance datasets, we estimated the HCV CoC for people attending drug services, providing a benchmark from which to monitor the impact of strategies to scale-up prevention, testing, and curative treatment with direct acting antivirals. Our study highlights wasteful repeated testing and poor linkage to care for this high risk population which need to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Ireland
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, UK; The National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Blood Borne and Sexually Transmitted Infections at University College London, UK.
| | - R Simmons
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, UK; The National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Blood Borne and Sexually Transmitted Infections at University College London, UK
| | - M Hickman
- The National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Evaluation of Interventions at University of Bristol, UK; Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, UK
| | - B Eastwood
- Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco and Justice Division, Health Improvement Directorate, Public Health England, UK
| | - M Ramsay
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, UK
| | - S Mandal
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, UK; The National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Blood Borne and Sexually Transmitted Infections at University College London, UK
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13
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Morey S, Hamoodi A, Jones D, Young T, Thompson C, Dhuny J, Buchanan E, Miller C, Hewett M, Valappil M, Hunter E, McPherson S. Increased diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis C in prison by universal offer of testing and use of telemedicine. J Viral Hepat 2019; 26:101-108. [PMID: 30315691 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2018] [Revised: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
With recent advances in antiviral therapy, there is an opportunity to eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV) from the UK population. HCV is common in incarcerated individuals, with previous estimates suggesting ~7% of the UK prison population is anti-HCV antibody positive. Increasing diagnosis and treatment of HCV in prison is a priority in seeking to eliminate transmission in the general population. Thus the study aimed to assess the impact implementation of: (a) A universal offer of blood borne virus testing (UOBBVT) using dry blood spot testing for prisoners at reception to increase diagnosis; (b) Telemedicine clinics (TC) within North East England (NEE) prisons to increase HCV treatment rates. UOBBVT was initially implemented at Her Majesty's Prison (HMP) Durham, commencing March 2016. From March 2016 to February 2017, 2831 of 4280 (66%) new receptions were offered blood borne virus (BBV) testing. Of these, 1495 (53% of offered) accepted BBV testing, of whom 95 (6.4%) were HCV antibody positive, with 47 of those 95 (49.5%) HCV RNA positive, suggesting a prevalence of active infection in the tested population of 3.1% (95% CI 2.4%-4.2%). Between August 2015 and October 2017, 80 individuals were seen in the TC and 57 (71%) commenced antiviral therapy. Of those with known outcome (n = 29), 100% achieved sustained virological response. In the year prior to implementation, only four patients received HCV treatment. In conclusion, a universal offer of BBV testing to inmates presenting at HMP reception coupled with linkage into specialist care via TC can substantially increase rates of testing, diagnosis and treatment of HCV in this high-prevalence population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Morey
- Viral Hepatitis Service, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.,Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Abi Hamoodi
- Public Health England, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | | | - Tina Young
- Viral Hepatitis Service, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | | | - Julie Dhuny
- NHS England (Cumbria and the North East), Darlington, UK
| | - Emma Buchanan
- Viral Hepatitis Service, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Carolyn Miller
- Viral Hepatitis Service, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Margaret Hewett
- Viral Hepatitis Service, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Manoj Valappil
- Viral Hepatitis Service, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Ewan Hunter
- Department of Infection and Tropical Medicine, Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
| | - Stuart McPherson
- Viral Hepatitis Service, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.,Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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14
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Hope VD, Harris RJ, Vickerman P, Platt L, Shute J, Cullen KJ, Ijaz S, Mandal S, Ncube F, Desai M, Parry JV. A comparison of two biological markers of recent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection: implications for the monitoring of interventions and strategies to reduce HCV transmission among people who inject drugs. Euro Surveill 2018; 23:1700635. [PMID: 30482265 PMCID: PMC6341939 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2018.23.47.1700635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundMonitoring hepatitis C virus (HCV) incidence is important for assessing intervention impact. Longitudinal studies of people who inject drugs (PWID), using repeated biological tests, are costly; alternatively, incidence can be estimated using biological markers of recent infection in cross-sectional studies.AimWe aimed to compare incidence estimates obtained from two different biological markers of recent infection in a cross-sectional study to inform monitoring approaches for HCV elimination strategies.MethodSamples from an unlinked anonymous bio-behavioural survey of PWID were tested for two recent infection markers: HCV RNA with anti-HCV negative ('RNA') and low-avidity anti-HCV with HCV RNA present ('avidity'). These two markers were used separately and in combination to estimate HCV incidence.ResultsBetween 2011 and 2013, 2,816 anti-HIV-negative PWID (25% female) who had injected during the preceding year were either HCV-negative or had one of the two markers of recent infection: 57 (2.0%) had the RNA marker and 90 (3.2%) the avidity marker. The two markers had similar distributions of risk and demographic factors. Pooled estimated incidence was 12.3 per 100 person-years (pyrs) (95% credible interval: 8.8-17.0) and not significantly different to avidity-only (p = 0.865) and RNA-only (p = 0.691) estimates. However, the RNA marker is limited by its short duration before anti-HCV seroconversion and the avidity marker by uncertainty around its duration.ConclusionBoth markers have utility in monitoring HCV incidence among PWID. When HCV transmission is high, one marker may provide an accurate estimate of incidence; when it is low or decreasing, a combination may be required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivian D Hope
- Public Health Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom,National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ross J Harris
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Lucy Platt
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Justin Shute
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | - Katelyn J Cullen
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | - Samreen Ijaz
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom ,The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) in Blood Borne and Sexually Transmitted Infections at University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sema Mandal
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom ,The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) in Blood Borne and Sexually Transmitted Infections at University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fortune Ncube
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | - Monica Desai
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | - John V Parry
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom ,Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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15
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Aisyah DN, Shallcross L, Hayward A, Aldridge RW, Hemming S, Yates S, Ferenando G, Possas L, Garber E, Watson JM, Geretti AM, McHugh TD, Lipman M, Story A. Hepatitis C among vulnerable populations: A seroprevalence study of homeless, people who inject drugs and prisoners in London. J Viral Hepat 2018; 25:1260-1269. [PMID: 29851232 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Injecting drugs substantially increases the risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and is common in the homeless and prisoners. Capturing accurate data on disease prevalence within these groups is challenging but is essential to inform strategies to reduce HCV transmission. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of HCV in these populations. We conducted a cross-sectional study between May 2011 and June 2013 in London and, using convenience sampling, recruited participants from hostels for the homeless, drug treatment services and a prison. A questionnaire was administered and blood samples were tested for hepatitis C. We recruited 491 individuals who were homeless (40.7%), 205 drug users (17%) and 511 prisoners (42.3%). Eight per cent of patients (98/1207, 95% CI: 6.7%-9.8%) had active HCV infection and 3% (38/1207, 95% CI: 2.3%-4.3%) past HCV infection. Overall, one quarter (51/205) of people recruited in drug treatment services, 13% (65/491) of people from homeless residential sites and 4% (20/511) prisoners in this study were anti-HCV positive. Seventy-seven of the 136 (56.6%, 95% CI: 47.9%-65%) of HCV infected participants identified had a history of all three risk factors (homelessness, imprisonment and drug use), 27.3% (95% CI: 20.1%-35.6%) had 2 overlapping risk factors, and 15.4% (95% CI: 10.6%-23.7%) one risk factor. Drug treatment services, prisons and homelessness services provide good opportunities for identifying hepatitis C-infected individuals. Effective models need to be developed to ensure case identification in these settings that can lead to an effective treatment and an efficient HCV prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- D N Aisyah
- UCL Infectious Disease Informatics, Farr Institute of Health Informatics, London, UK.,Faculty of Public Health Universitas Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia
| | - L Shallcross
- UCL Infectious Disease Informatics, Farr Institute of Health Informatics, London, UK
| | - A Hayward
- UCL Infectious Disease Informatics, Farr Institute of Health Informatics, London, UK.,Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, UK
| | - R W Aldridge
- UCL Infectious Disease Informatics, Farr Institute of Health Informatics, London, UK.,Centre for Public Health Data Science, Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
| | - S Hemming
- UCL Infectious Disease Informatics, Farr Institute of Health Informatics, London, UK.,Centre for Public Health Data Science, Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK.,Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - S Yates
- UCL Infectious Disease Informatics, Farr Institute of Health Informatics, London, UK.,Centre for Public Health Data Science, Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK.,Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - G Ferenando
- UCL Infectious Disease Informatics, Farr Institute of Health Informatics, London, UK.,Centre for Public Health Data Science, Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK.,Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - L Possas
- UCL Infectious Disease Informatics, Farr Institute of Health Informatics, London, UK.,Centre for Public Health Data Science, Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK.,Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - E Garber
- UCL Infectious Disease Informatics, Farr Institute of Health Informatics, London, UK.,Centre for Public Health Data Science, Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK.,Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - J M Watson
- Centre for Public Health Data Science, Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
| | - A M Geretti
- Institute of Infection & Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - T D McHugh
- Centre for Clinical Microbiology, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK
| | - M Lipman
- Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.,UCL Respiratory, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, UK
| | - A Story
- University College London Hospitals, London, UK
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16
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Toro-Tobón D, Berbesi-Fernandez D, Mateu-Gelabert P, Segura-Cardona ÁM, Montoya-Vélez LP. Prevalence of hepatitis C virus in young people who inject drugs in four Colombian cities: A cross-sectional study using Respondent Driven Sampling. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2018; 60:56-64. [PMID: 30107313 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2018.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Revised: 06/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colombia has a growing population of young people who inject drugs (PWID). Despite the previously reported association of injection drug use with hepatitis c virus (HCV) in other countries, studies on HCV prevalence in PWID in Colombia are lacking. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence, demographics, and correlations of risky injection behaviours in HCV seropositive PWID in four Colombian cities (Armenia, Bogotá, Cúcuta and Pereira). METHODS This was a cross-sectional study carried out between January and June of 2014 that included 918 PWID from four Colombian cities, recruited by Respondent Driven Sampling. A survey was administered to each participant, and blood samples were collected. Binary logistic regression and multivariate analyses for each city were conducted. RESULTS Average participant age was 26 years (SD 6.5). Of all participants, 27.3% of PWID were HCV seropositive, of which 52% were 25 years old or younger. In Pereira, increased risk of HCV infection was found for PWID that: had a history of injection drug use of 5 years or more (AOR: 3.0, CI: 1.7-7.8); were between 25 and 28 years of age (AOR: 5.2, CI: 1.0-26.3); had higher injection frequency (AOR: 2.5, CI: 1.4-4.2), and daily use of gifted, sold, or rented needles or syringes (AOR: 4.5, CI: 1.0-7.1). Additionally, in Cucuta, being HIV seropositive appeared to be greatly associated with risk of HCV seropositivity (AOR: 16.9, CI: 3.5-81.5). CONCLUSION Although prevalence of HCV in PWID in Colombia is lower than that reported for other countries, the described demographic characteristics and diverse risky injection behaviors on each city, in the context of a young PWID population with a short injection drug use history, should be taken into account in order to guide efforts towards preventing and reducing risk of HCV infection in PWID in Colombia.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Toro-Tobón
- School of Medicine, CES University, Medellin, Colombia; Epidemiology and Bioestatistics Research Group, CES University, Medellin, Colombia.
| | - Dedsy Berbesi-Fernandez
- Epidemiology and Bioestatistics Research Group, CES University, Medellin, Colombia; School of Nursing, CES University, Medellin, Colombia.
| | | | - Ángela M Segura-Cardona
- School of Medicine, CES University, Medellin, Colombia; Epidemiology and Bioestatistics Research Group, CES University, Medellin, Colombia.
| | - Liliana P Montoya-Vélez
- School of Medicine, CES University, Medellin, Colombia; Division of Public Health, CES University, Medellin, Colombia.
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17
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Nikoo N, Javidanbardan S, Akm M, Hakobyan S, Nikoo M, Kwan C, Song M, Vogel M, Somers J, Krausz M. Hepatitis C prevalence and associated risk factors among individuals who are homeless and diagnosed with mental illness: At Home/Chez Soi Study, Vancouver, BC. Eur J Public Health 2018; 29:242-247. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/cky142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nooshin Nikoo
- Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences (CHEOS), Institute of Mental Health, University of British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Family Medicine, University of British Columbia, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sanam Javidanbardan
- Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences (CHEOS), Institute of Mental Health, University of British Columbia, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Syune Hakobyan
- Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences (CHEOS), Institute of Mental Health, University of British Columbia, Canada
- Vancouver Infectious Diseases Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mohammadali Nikoo
- Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences (CHEOS), Institute of Mental Health, University of British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Canada
| | - Celia Kwan
- Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences (CHEOS), Institute of Mental Health, University of British Columbia, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Canada
| | - Michael Song
- Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences (CHEOS), Institute of Mental Health, University of British Columbia, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Canada
| | - Marc Vogel
- Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences (CHEOS), Institute of Mental Health, University of British Columbia, Canada
- Psychiatric University Clinics, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Michael Krausz
- Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences (CHEOS), Institute of Mental Health, University of British Columbia, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Canada
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18
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Ward Z, Platt L, Sweeney S, Hope VD, Maher L, Hutchinson S, Palmateer N, Smith J, Craine N, Taylor A, Martin N, Ayres R, Dillon J, Hickman M, Vickerman P. Impact of current and scaled-up levels of hepatitis C prevention and treatment interventions for people who inject drugs in three UK settings-what is required to achieve the WHO's HCV elimination targets? Addiction 2018; 113:1727-1738. [PMID: 29774607 PMCID: PMC6175066 DOI: 10.1111/add.14217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2017] [Revised: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To estimate the impact of existing high-coverage needle and syringe provision (HCNSP, defined as obtaining more than one sterile needle and syringe per injection reported) and opioid substitution therapy (OST) on hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission among people who inject drugs (PWID) in three UK settings and to determine required scale-up of interventions, including HCV treatment, needed to reach the World Health Organization (WHO) target of reducing HCV incidence by 90% by 2030. DESIGN HCV transmission modelling using UK empirical estimates for effect of OST and/or HCNSP on individual risk of HCV acquisition. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Three UK cities with varying chronic HCV prevalence (Bristol 45%, Dundee 26%, Walsall 19%), OST (72-81%) and HCNSP coverage (28-56%). MEASUREMENTS Relative change in new HCV infections throughout 2016-30 if current interventions were stopped. Scale-up of HCNSP, OST and HCV treatment required to achieve the WHO elimination target. FINDINGS Removing HCNSP or OST would increase the number of new HCV infections throughout 2016 to 2030 by 23-64 and 92-483%, respectively. Conversely, scaling-up these interventions to 80% coverage could achieve a 29 or 49% reduction in Bristol and Walsall, respectively, whereas Dundee may achieve a 90% decrease in incidence with current levels of intervention because of existing high levels of HCV treatment (47-58 treatments per 1000 PWID). If OST and HCNSP are scaled-up, Walsall and Bristol can achieve the same impact by treating 14 or 40 per 1000 PWID annually, respectively (currently two and nine treatments per 1000 PWID), while 18 and 43 treatments per 1000 PWID would be required if OST and HCNSP are not scaled-up. CONCLUSIONS Current opioid substitution therapy and high-coverage needle and syringe provision coverage is averting substantial hepatitis C transmission in the United Kingdom. Maintaining this coverage while getting current drug injectors onto treatment can reduce incidence by 90% by 2030.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe Ward
- Bristol Medical School, Population Health SciencesUniversity of BristolBristolUK
| | - Lucy Platt
- Faculty of Public Health and PolicyLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUK
| | - Sedona Sweeney
- Faculty of Public Health and PolicyLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUK
| | - Vivian D. Hope
- Public Health EnglandUK
- Public Health Institute, Liverpool John Moores UniversityLiverpoolUK
| | - Lisa Maher
- Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity, UNSWAustralia
| | - Sharon Hutchinson
- Health and Life SciencesGlasgow Caledonian UniversityUK
- Blood‐borne Viruses and Sexually Transmitted Infections SectionHealth Protection ScotlandUK
| | - Norah Palmateer
- Health and Life SciencesGlasgow Caledonian UniversityUK
- Blood‐borne Viruses and Sexually Transmitted Infections SectionHealth Protection ScotlandUK
| | - Josie Smith
- Substance Misuse ‐ Drugs and AlcoholPublic Health WalesUK
| | - Noel Craine
- Substance Misuse ‐ Drugs and AlcoholPublic Health WalesUK
| | - Avril Taylor
- School of Media, Society and CultureUniversity of West of ScotlandUK
| | - Natasha Martin
- Department of MedicineUniversity of California, San DiegoUSA
| | | | | | - Matthew Hickman
- Bristol Medical School, Population Health SciencesUniversity of BristolBristolUK
| | - Peter Vickerman
- Bristol Medical School, Population Health SciencesUniversity of BristolBristolUK
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19
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Mumtaz GR, Awad SF, Feizzadeh A, Weiss HA, Abu‐Raddad LJ. HIV incidence among people who inject drugs in the Middle East and North Africa: mathematical modelling analysis. J Int AIDS Soc 2018; 21:e25102. [PMID: 29577623 PMCID: PMC5867334 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Emerging HIV epidemics have been documented among people who inject drugs (PWID) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This study estimates the HIV incidence among PWID due to sharing needles/syringes in MENA. It also delineates injecting drug use role as a driver of the epidemic in the population, and estimates impact of interventions. METHODS A mathematical model of HIV transmission among PWID was applied in seven MENA countries with sufficient and recent epidemiological data and HIV prevalence ≥1% among PWID. Estimations of incident and/or prevalent infections among PWID, ex-PWID and sexual partners of infected current and ex-PWID were conducted. RESULTS The estimated HIV incidence rate for 2017 among PWID ranged between 0.7% per person-year (ppy) in Tunisia and 7.8% ppy in Pakistan, with Libya being an outlier (24.8% ppy). The estimated number of annual new infections was lowest in Tunisia (n = 79) and Morocco (n = 99), and highest in Iran and Pakistan (approximately n = 6700 each). In addition, 20 to 2208 and 5 to 837 new annual infections were estimated across the different countries among sexual partners of PWID and ex-PWID respectively. Since epidemic emergence, the number of total ever acquired incident infections across countries was 706 to 90,015 among PWID, 99 to 18,244 among sexual partners of PWID, and 16 to 4360 among sexual partners of ex-PWID. The estimated number of prevalent infections across countries was 341 to 23,279 among PWID, 119 to 16,540 among ex-PWID, 67 to 10,752 among sexual partners of PWID, and 12 to 2863 among sexual partners of ex-PWID. Increasing antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage to the global target of 81% - factoring in ART adherence and current coverage - would avert about half of new infections among PWID and their sexual partners. Combining ART with harm reduction could avert over 90% and 70% of new infections among PWID and their sexual partners respectively. CONCLUSIONS There is considerable HIV incidence among PWID in MENA. Of all new infections ultimately due to injecting drug use, about 75% are among PWID and the rest among sexual partners. Of all prevalent infections ultimately attributed to injecting drug use as epidemic driver, about half are among PWID, 30% among ex-PWID and 20% among sexual partners of PWID and ex-PWID. These findings call for scale-up of services for PWID, including harm reduction as well as testing and treatment services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghina R Mumtaz
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology GroupWeill Cornell Medicine ‐ QatarCornell UniversityDohaQatar
- Department of Infectious Disease EpidemiologyFaculty of Epidemiology and Population HealthLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUK
| | - Susanne F Awad
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology GroupWeill Cornell Medicine ‐ QatarCornell UniversityDohaQatar
| | - Ali Feizzadeh
- Regional Support Team for the Middle East and North AfricaJoint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDSCairoEgypt
| | - Helen A Weiss
- MRC Tropical Epidemiology GroupDepartment of Infectious Disease EpidemiologyFaculty of Epidemiology and Population HealthLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUK
| | - Laith J Abu‐Raddad
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology GroupWeill Cornell Medicine ‐ QatarCornell UniversityDohaQatar
- Department of Healthcare Policy and ResearchWeill Cornell MedicineCornell UniversityNYUSA
- College of Public HealthHamad bin Khalifa UniversityDohaQatar
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20
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Jacka B, Bray B, Applegate TL, Marshall BDL, Lima VD, Hayashi K, DeBeck K, Raghwani J, Harrigan PR, Krajden M, Montaner J, Grebely J. Drug use and phylogenetic clustering of hepatitis C virus infection among people who use drugs in Vancouver, Canada: A latent class analysis approach. J Viral Hepat 2018; 25:28-36. [PMID: 28719060 PMCID: PMC5743579 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2016] [Accepted: 06/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
This study estimated latent classes (ie, unobserved subgroups in a population) of people who use drugs in Vancouver, Canada, and examined how these classes relate to phylogenetic clustering of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. HCV antibody-positive people who use drugs from two cohorts in Vancouver, Canada (1996-2012), with a Core-E2 sequence were included. Time-stamped phylogenetic trees were inferred, and phylogenetic clustering was determined by time to most common recent ancestor. Latent classes were estimated, and the association with the phylogenetic clustering outcome was assessed using an inclusive classify/analyse approach. Among 699 HCV RNA-positive participants (26% female, 24% HIV+), recent drug use included injecting cocaine (80%), injecting heroin (70%), injecting cocaine/heroin (ie, speedball, 38%) and crack cocaine smoking (28%). Latent class analysis identified four distinct subgroups of drug use typologies: (i) cocaine injecting, (ii) opioid and cocaine injecting, (iii) crack cocaine smoking and (iv) heroin injecting and currently receiving opioid substitution therapy. After adjusting for age and HIV infection, compared to the group defined by heroin injecting and currently receiving opioid substitution therapy, the odds of phylogenetic cluster membership was greater in the cocaine injecting group (adjusted OR [aOR]: 3.06; 95% CI: 1.73, 5.42) and lower in the crack cocaine smoking group (aOR: 0.06; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.48). Combining latent class and phylogenetic clustering analyses provides novel insights into the complex dynamics of HCV transmission. Incorporating differing risk profiles associated with drug use may provide opportunities to further optimize and target HCV treatment and prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan Jacka
- Viral Hepatitis Clinical Research Program, The Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, Sydney NSW, Australia
| | - Bethany Bray
- The Methodology Center, Pennsylvania University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Tanya L Applegate
- Viral Hepatitis Clinical Research Program, The Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, Sydney NSW, Australia
| | | | - Viviane Dias Lima
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver BC,Division of AIDS, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Kanna Hayashi
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver BC,Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC Canada
| | - Kora DeBeck
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver BC,School of Public Policy, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - P Richard Harrigan
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver BC,Division of AIDS, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Julio Montaner
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver BC,Division of AIDS, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jason Grebely
- Viral Hepatitis Clinical Research Program, The Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, Sydney NSW, Australia
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21
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Platt L, Sweeney S, Ward Z, Guinness L, Hickman M, Hope V, Hutchinson S, Maher L, Iversen J, Craine N, Taylor A, Munro A, Parry J, Smith J, Vickerman P. Assessing the impact and cost-effectiveness of needle and syringe provision and opioid substitution therapy on hepatitis C transmission among people who inject drugs in the UK: an analysis of pooled data sets and economic modelling. PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH 2017. [DOI: 10.3310/phr05050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
There is limited evidence of the impact of needle and syringe programmes (NSPs) and opioid substitution therapy (OST) on hepatitis C virus (HCV) incidence among people who inject drugs (PWID), nor have there been any economic evaluations.
Objective(s)
To measure (1) the impact of NSP and OST, (2) changes in the extent of provision of both interventions, and (3) costs and cost-effectiveness of NSPs on HCV infection transmission.
Design
We conducted (1) a systematic review; (2) an analysis of existing data sets, including collating costs of NSPs; and (3) a dynamic deterministic model to estimate the impact of differing OST/NSP intervention coverage levels for reducing HCV infection prevalence, incidence and disease burden, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios to measure the cost-effectiveness of current NSP provision versus no provision.
Setting
Cost-effectiveness analysis and impact modelling in three UK sites. The pooled analysis drew on data from the UK and Australia. The review was international.
Participants
PWID.
Interventions
NSP coverage (proportion of injections covered by clean needles) and OST.
Outcome
New cases of HCV infection.
Results
The review suggested that OST reduced the risk of HCV infection acquisition by 50% [rate ratio (RR) 0.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.40 to 0.63]. Weaker evidence was found in areas of high (≥ 100%) NSP coverage (RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.38 to 1.54) internationally. There was moderate evidence for combined high coverage of NSPs and OST (RR 0.29, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.65). The pooled analysis showed that combined high coverage of NSPs and OST reduced the risk of HCV infection acquisition by 29–71% compared with those on minimal harm reduction (no OST, ≤ 100% NSP coverage). NSPs are likely to be cost-effective and are cost-saving in some settings. The impact modelling suggest that removing OST (current coverage 81%) and NSPs (coverage 54%) in one site would increase HCV infection incidence by 329% [95% credible interval (CrI) 110% to 953%] in 2031 and at least double (132% increase; 95% CrI 51% to 306%) the number of new infections over 15 years. Increasing NSP coverage to 80% has the largest impact in the site with the lowest current NSP coverage (35%), resulting in a 27% (95% CrI 7% to 43%) decrease in new infections and 41% (95% CrI 11% to 72%) decrease in incidence by 2031 compared with 2016. Addressing homelessness and reducing the harm associated with the injection of crack cocaine could avert approximately 60% of HCV infections over the next 15 years.
Limitations
Findings are limited by the misclassification of NSP coverage and the simplified intervention definition that fails to capture the integrated services that address other social and health needs as part of this.
Conclusions
There is moderate evidence of the effectiveness of OST and NSPs, especially in combination, on HCV infection acquisition risk. Policies to ensure that NSPs can be accessed alongside OST are needed. NSPs are cost-saving in some sites and cost-effective in others. NSPs and OST are likely to prevent considerable rates of HCV infection in the UK. Increasing NSP coverage will have most impact in settings with low coverage. Scaling up other interventions such as HCV infection treatment are needed to decrease epidemics to low levels in higher prevalence settings.
Future work
To understand the mechanisms through which NSPs and OST achieve their effect and the optimum contexts to support implementation.
Funding
The National Institute for Health Research Public Health Research programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Platt
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sedona Sweeney
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Zoe Ward
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Lorna Guinness
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Matthew Hickman
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Vivian Hope
- Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Sharon Hutchinson
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
| | - Lisa Maher
- Viral Hepatitis Epidemiology and Prevention Program, Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jenny Iversen
- Viral Hepatitis Epidemiology and Prevention Program, Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Noel Craine
- Health Protection Division, Public Health Wales, Cardiff, UK
| | - Avril Taylor
- School of Media Society and Culture, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, UK
| | - Alison Munro
- School of Social Science, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, UK
| | - John Parry
- Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Josie Smith
- Health Protection Division, Public Health Wales, Cardiff, UK
| | - Peter Vickerman
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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22
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Hope VD, Iversen J, Cullen KJ, Parry JV, Maher L, Nucbe F. Injection into the jugular vein among people who inject drugs in the United Kingdom: Prevalence, associated factors and harms. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2017; 46:28-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Revised: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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23
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O'Halloran C, Cullen K, Njoroge J, Jessop L, Smith J, Hope V, Ncube F. The extent of and factors associated with self-reported overdose and self-reported receipt of naloxone among people who inject drugs (PWID) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2017; 46:34-40. [PMID: 28586701 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Revised: 03/11/2017] [Accepted: 05/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Overdose is a major cause of death among PWID, and for opioid overdoses naloxone administration can reduce harm. However, globally there is limited national level data on the extent of non-fatal overdose and naloxone uptake. The first national level data on the extent of self-reported overdose and self-reported receipt of naloxone among UK PWID, providing a baseline to monitor the impact of the recent policy change regarding naloxone availability, is presented. METHODS Data on self-reported overdose and receipt of naloxone during the preceding year for 2013-2014 from a national survey of PWID was analysed. Participants who reported injecting during the preceding year were included. RESULTS Participants (3850) were predominantly male (75%); mean age was 36 years. The most commonly injected drugs were: heroin (91%), crack (45%) and amphetamine (29%). 15% (591) reported overdosing during the preceding year. There were no differences in the proportion reporting overdose by age or gender, but overdose was more common among those who: injected multiple drugs; recently ceased addiction treatment; injected with used needles/syringes; ever had transactional sex; had used a sexual health clinic or emergency department and lived in Wales or Northern Ireland. Among those reporting an overdose during the preceding year, a third reported two to four overdoses and 7.5% five or more overdoses; half reported receiving naloxone. Those reporting naloxone receipt in the preceding year were more likely to: live in Wales or Northern Ireland; ever received used needles/syringes; ever been imprisoned; and less likely to have injected two drug types. CONCLUSION These data provide a baseline for monitoring the impact of the 2015 UK policy change to improve take-home naloxone access. Interventions tackling overdose should promote naloxone awareness and access, and target those who; are poly-drug injectors, have ceased treatment, share needles/syringes and whose drug use links to sexual activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte O'Halloran
- HIV & STI Department, Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK.
| | - Katelyn Cullen
- HIV & STI Department, Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK
| | - Jaquelyn Njoroge
- HIV & STI Department, Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK
| | - Lucy Jessop
- Public Health Agency, Health Protection Service, 12-22 Linenhall Street, Belfast BT2 8BS, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Josie Smith
- Public Health Wales, Temple of Peace & Health, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NW, UK
| | - Vivian Hope
- HIV & STI Department, Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK
| | - Fortune Ncube
- HIV & STI Department, Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK
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24
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Marins EG, Bodinaidu K, Lin M, Deforest A. Evaluation of the COBAS ® AmpliPrep/COBAS ® TaqMan ® HCV Test v2.0 for HCV viral load monitoring using dried blood spot specimens. J Virol Methods 2017; 247:77-80. [PMID: 28576449 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2017.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Revised: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 05/25/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
This study evaluated the use of dried blood spot (DBS) for HCV viral load quantification using the COBAS® AmpliPrep/COBAS® Taqman® HCV Quantitative Test v2.0 (CAP/CTM HCV v2), and compared two different procedures for preparation of DBS samples with a Specimen Pre-Extraction (SPEX) reagent (either heated [SPEX with SH] for 10min at 56°C on a thermomixer, or incubated for 1h at room temperature [SPEX at RT]) against the standard plasma input. Whole blood specimens from 48 patients with chronic HCV infection and Whatman® 903 Protein Saver Cards were used to prepare 35μL DBS. An aliquot of plasma was spun and frozen from each draw. Mean DBS viral load results were compared to the corresponding results from plasma. Correlation between DBS to plasma was linear for both SPEX with SH (R2=0.96) and SPEX at RT (R2=0.97) procedures, with a constant negative offset of approximately 2.0log10IU/mL between whole blood DBS without any adjustments and plasma results. After volume corrections, the mean offset to plasma decreased to -0.39 and -0.36 for the two procedures, respectively. The study demonstrated the use of DBS for HCV viral load correlates well with plasma with a constant offset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ed G Marins
- Roche Molecular Systems, 4300 Hacienda Dr, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States.
| | - Keerthi Bodinaidu
- Roche Molecular Systems, 4300 Hacienda Dr, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
| | - Matthew Lin
- Roche Molecular Systems, 4300 Hacienda Dr, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
| | - Alison Deforest
- Roche Molecular Systems, 4300 Hacienda Dr, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
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25
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Impact of opioid substitution therapy on the HIV prevention benefit of antiretroviral therapy for people who inject drugs. AIDS 2017; 31:1181-1190. [PMID: 28323752 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000001458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A recent meta-analysis suggested that opioid substitution therapy (OST) increased uptake of antiretroviral treatment (ART) and HIV viral suppression. We modelled whether OST could improve the HIV prevention benefit achieved by ART among people who inject drugs (PWID). METHODS We modelled how introducing OST could improve the coverage of ART across a PWID population for different baseline ART coverage levels. Using existing data on how yearly HIV-transmission risk is related to HIV plasma viral load, changes in the level of viral suppression across the population were used to project the relative reduction in yearly HIV-transmission risk achieved by ART, with or without OST, compared with if there was no ART - defined here as the prevention effectiveness of ART. RESULTS Owing to OST use increasing the chance of being on ART and achieving viral suppression if on ART, the prevention effectiveness of ART for PWID on OST (compared with PWID not on OST) increases by 44, 31, or 20% for a low (20%), moderate (40%), or high (60%) baseline ART coverage, respectively. Improvements in the population-level prevention effectiveness of ART are also achieved across all PWID, compared with if OST was not introduced. For instance, if OST is introduced at 40% coverage, the population-level prevention effectiveness of ART could increase by 27, 20, or 13% for a low (20%), moderate (40%), or high (60%) baseline ART coverage, respectively. CONCLUSION OST could improve the HIV prevention benefit of ART; supporting strategies that aim to concurrently scale-up OST with ART.
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Hope VD, Cullen KJ, Smith J, Jessop L, Parry J, Ncube F. Is the recent emergence of mephedrone injecting in the United Kingdom associated with elevated risk behaviours and blood borne virus infection? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 21:30225. [PMID: 27195614 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2016.21.19.30225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2015] [Accepted: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The recent, and rapid, emergence of injection of the short-acting stimulant mephedrone (4-methylmethcathione) has resulted in concerns about increased infection risks among people who inject drugs (PWID). Data from the bio-behavioural surveillance of PWID in the United Kingdom were analysed to examine the impact of mephedrone injection on infections among PWID. During the year preceding the survey, 8.0% of PWID (163/2,047) had injected mephedrone. In multivariable analyses, those injecting mephedrone were younger, less likely to have injected opiates, and more likely to have injected cocaine or amphetamines, used needle/syringe programmes or sexual health clinics, been recruited in Wales and Northern Ireland or shared needles/syringes. There were no differences in sexual risks. Those injecting mephedrone more often had hepatitis C antibodies (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.51; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08-2.12), human immunodeficiency virus (AOR = 5.43; 95% CI: 1.90-15.5) and overdosed (AOR = 1.70; 95% CI: 1.12-2.57). There were no differences in the frequency of injecting site infections or prevalence of hepatitis B. The elevated levels of risk and infections are a concern considering its recent emergence. Mephedrone injection may currently be focused among higher-risk or more vulnerable groups. Targeted responses are needed to prevent an increase in harm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivian D Hope
- Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
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Noroozi A, Mirzazadeh A, Hajebi A, Farhoudian A, Sharifi H, Higgs P, Noroozi M. Comparing profile of people who inject drugs (PWID) accessing different types of needle and syringe programs or secondary distribution in Kermanshah, Iran. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2016.1195894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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28
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Csete J, Kamarulzaman A, Kazatchkine M, Altice F, Balicki M, Buxton J, Cepeda J, Comfort M, Goosby E, Goulão J, Hart C, Kerr T, Lajous AM, Lewis S, Martin N, Mejía D, Camacho A, Mathieson D, Obot I, Ogunrombi A, Sherman S, Stone J, Vallath N, Vickerman P, Zábranský T, Beyrer C. Public health and international drug policy. Lancet 2016; 387:1427-1480. [PMID: 27021149 PMCID: PMC5042332 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(16)00619-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 307] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In September 2015, the member states of the United Nations endorsed sustainable development goals (SDG) for 2030 that aspire to human rights-centered approaches to ensuring the health and well-being of all people. The SDGs embody both the UN Charter values of rights and justice for all and the responsibility of states to rely on the best scientific evidence as they seek to better humankind. In April 2016, these same states will consider control of illicit drugs, an area of social policy that has been fraught with controversy, seen as inconsistent with human rights norms, and for which scientific evidence and public health approaches have arguably played too limited a role. The previous UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on drugs in 1998 – convened under the theme “a drug-free world, we can do it!” – endorsed drug control policies based on the goal of prohibiting all use, possession, production, and trafficking of illicit drugs. This goal is enshrined in national law in many countries. In pronouncing drugs a “grave threat to the health and well-being of all mankind,” the 1998 UNGASS echoed the foundational 1961 convention of the international drug control regime, which justified eliminating the “evil” of drugs in the name of “the health and welfare of mankind.” But neither of these international agreements refers to the ways in which pursuing drug prohibition itself might affect public health. The “war on drugs” and “zero-tolerance” policies that grew out of the prohibitionist consensus are now being challenged on multiple fronts, including their health, human rights, and development impact. The Johns Hopkins – Lancet Commission on Drug Policy and Health has sought to examine the emerging scientific evidence on public health issues arising from drug control policy and to inform and encourage a central focus on public health evidence and outcomes in drug policy debates, such as the important deliberations of the 2016 UNGASS on drugs. The Johns Hopkins-Lancet Commission is concerned that drug policies are often colored by ideas about drug use and drug dependence that are not scientifically grounded. The 1998 UNGASS declaration, for example, like the UN drug conventions and many national drug laws, does not distinguish between drug use and drug abuse. A 2015 report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, by contrast, found it important to emphasize that “[d]rug use is neither a medical condition nor does it necessarily lead to drug dependence.” The idea that all drug use is dangerous and evil has led to enforcement-heavy policies and has made it difficult to see potentially dangerous drugs in the same light as potentially dangerous foods, tobacco, alcohol for which the goal of social policy is to reduce potential harms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Michel Kazatchkine
- UN Special Envoy, HIV in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Javier Cepeda
- Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Eric Goosby
- University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Carl Hart
- Columbia University, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Thomas Kerr
- University of British Columbia, Center of Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Susan Sherman
- Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Nandini Vallath
- Trivandrum Institute of Palliative Sciences, Trivandrum, India
| | | | | | - Chris Beyrer
- Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Hope VD, Parry JV, Ncube F, Hickman M. Not in the vein: 'missed hits', subcutaneous and intramuscular injections and associated harms among people who inject psychoactive drugs in Bristol, United Kingdom. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2015; 28:83-90. [PMID: 26689890 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2015.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2015] [Revised: 11/06/2015] [Accepted: 11/07/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The extent of intentional or accidental subcutaneous and intramuscular injections and the factors associated with these have rarely been studied among people who inject drugs, yet these may play an important role in the acquisition bacterial infections. This study describes the extent of these, and in particular the factors and harms associated with accidental subcutaneous and intramuscular injections (i.e. 'missed hits'). METHODS People who inject drugs were recruited using respondent driven sampling. Weighted data was examined using bivariate analyses and logistic regression. RESULTS The participants mean age was 33 years (31% aged under 30-years), 28% were women, and the mean time since first injection was 12 years (N=329). During the preceding three months, 97% had injected heroin, 71% crack-cocaine, and 16% amphetamines; 36% injected daily. Overall, 99% (325) reported that they aimed to inject intravenously; only three aimed to inject subcutaneously and one intramuscularly. Of those that aimed to inject intravenously, 56% (181) reported ever missing a vein (for 51 this occurred more than four times month on average). Factors associated with 'missed hits' suggested that these were the consequence of poor vascular access, injection technique and/or hygiene. 'Missed hits' were twice as common among those reporting sores/open wounds, abscesses, or redness, swelling and tenderness at injection sites. CONCLUSION Intentional subcutaneous and intramuscular injections are rare in this sample. 'Missed hits' are common and appear to be associated with poor injection practice. Interventions are required to reduce risk through improving injecting practice and hygiene.
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Affiliation(s)
- V D Hope
- National Infection service, Public Health England, London, UK; Centre for Research on Drugs & Health Behaviour, Department of Social and Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - J V Parry
- National Infection service, Public Health England, London, UK; Centre for Research on Drugs & Health Behaviour, Department of Social and Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - F Ncube
- National Infection service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - M Hickman
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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Malekinejad M, Navadeh S, Lotfizadeh A, Rahimi-Movaghar A, Amin-Esmaeili M, Noroozi A. High hepatitis C virus prevalence among drug users in Iran: systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological evidence (2001-2012). Int J Infect Dis 2015; 40:116-30. [PMID: 26460088 PMCID: PMC8741151 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2015.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2015] [Revised: 09/26/2015] [Accepted: 09/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Drug users, particularly drug injectors, are at elevated risk of blood-borne diseases. This study systematically reviewed the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) mono-infection and its co-infections with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) in drug users in Iran. METHODS Searches were conducted in international, regional, and Iranian databases. Documents were screened, data extracted, and pooled point prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. RESULTS Overall, 13,821 subjects (87.4% male) with an average age of 32.4 years (95% CI 31-33 years) from 24 original studies were included in the analysis. The pooled HCV prevalence (95% CI) among drug users with and without an injection history was 45% (37-54%) and 8% (4-13%), respectively. The pooled HCV prevalences (95% CI) among individuals with vs. without a history of imprisonment and needle sharing were 58% (39-77%) vs. 44% (20-68%) and 56% (41-71%) vs. 49% (26-71%), respectively. The prevalence of HCV/HIV co-infection among injectors was 11% (95% CI 5-16%). CONCLUSIONS HCV prevalence is high in drug users in Iran, especially among those with a history of injection drug use, needle sharing, and imprisonment. Drug user-focused HCV prevention and treatment programs are urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Malekinejad
- Phillip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA; Global Health Sciences, University of California, 3333 California Street, Suite 265, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA.
| | - Soodabeh Navadeh
- Global Health Sciences, University of California, 3333 California Street, Suite 265, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Lotfizadeh
- Phillip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Afarin Rahimi-Movaghar
- Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Iranian Institute for Reduction of High-Risk Behaviors, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoumeh Amin-Esmaeili
- Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDS (IRCHA), Iranian Institute for Reduction of High-Risk Behaviors, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Noroozi
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Spatiotemporal Reconstruction of the Introduction of Hepatitis C Virus into Scotland and Its Subsequent Regional Transmission. J Virol 2015; 89:11223-32. [PMID: 26311892 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02106-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 08/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED A more comprehensive understanding of hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission dynamics could facilitate public health initiatives to reduce the prevalence of HCV in people who inject drugs. We aimed to determine how HCV sequences entered and spread throughout Scotland and to identify transmission hot spots. A Scottish data set with embedded demographic data was created by sequencing the NS5B of 125 genotype 1a (Gt1a) samples and 166 Gt3a samples and analyzed alongside sequences from public databases. Applying Bayesian inference methods, we reconstructed the global origin and local spatiotemporal dissemination of HCV in Scotland. Scottish sequences mainly formed discrete clusters interspersed between sequences from the rest of the world; the most recent common ancestors of these clusters dated to 1942 to 1952 (Gt1a) and 1926 to 1942 (Gt3a), coincident with global diversification and distribution. Extant Scottish sequences originated in Edinburgh (Gt1a) and Glasgow (Gt3a) in the 1970s, but both genotypes spread from Glasgow to other regions. The dominant Gt1a strain differed between Edinburgh (cluster 2 [C2]), Glasgow (C3), and Aberdeen (C4), whereas significant Gt3a strain specificity occurred only in Aberdeen. Specific clusters initially formed separate transmission zones in Glasgow that subsequently overlapped, occasioning city-wide cocirculation. Transmission hot spots were detected with 45% of samples from patients residing in just 9 of Glasgow's 57 postcode districts. HCV was introduced into Scotland in the 1940s, concomitant with its worldwide dispersal likely arising from global-scale historical events. Cluster-specific transmission hubs were identified in Glasgow, the key Scottish city implicated in HCV dissemination. This fine-scale spatiotemporal reconstruction improves understanding of HCV transmission dynamics in Scotland. IMPORTANCE HCV is a major health burden and the leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma. Public health needle exchange and "treatment as prevention" strategies targeting HCV are designed to reduce prevalence of the virus in people who inject drugs (PWID), potentially mitigating the future burden of HCV-associated liver disease. Understanding HCV transmission dynamics could increase the effectiveness of such public health initiatives by identifying and targeting regions playing a central role in virus dispersal. In this study, we examined HCV transmission in Scotland by analyzing the genetic relatedness of strains from PWID alongside data inferring the year individuals became infected and residential information at a geographically finer-scale resolution than in previous studies. Clusters of Scotland-specific strains were identified with regional specificity, and mapping the spread of HCV allowed the identification of key areas central to HCV transmission in Scotland. This research provides a basis for identifying HCV transmission hot spots.
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Darke S, Duflou J, Torok M. The health consequences of injecting tablet preparations: foreign body pulmonary embolization and pulmonary hypertension among deceased injecting drug users. Addiction 2015; 110:1144-51. [PMID: 25808360 DOI: 10.1111/add.12930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2014] [Revised: 02/03/2015] [Accepted: 03/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To determine: (1) the characteristics of cases presenting to the Department of Forensic Medicine Sydney (1997-2013) with foreign body pulmonary embolization; (2) the extent and locations of embolization; and (3) the relationship between extent, and use of other injection sites, with pathology. DESIGN Analysis of consecutive case presentations with foreign body pulmonary embolization. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS Sydney, Australia, with a total of 373 cases (271 males, 102 females). MEASUREMENTS Full autopsy reports, microscopy of tissue samples, and full toxicology. The extent and locations of embolization, inflammatory responses, clinical signs of pulmonary hypertension and signs of right-sided heart failure were examined. FINDINGS Cases increased from three (1997) to 58 (2013). In 43.4%, foreign particles were moderate-abundant in extent. Cases with moderate-abundant emboli were more likely to have injection sites other than the cubital fossa [odds ratio (OR) = 2.4]. In 6.9% of cases emboli were also found in other organs. A foreign body inflammatory response was present in 45.3%, vascular scarring in 8.0%, signs of pulmonary hypertension in 10.2% and signs of right-sided heart pathology in 5.4%. Cases with moderate-abundant deposition were more likely to have emboli in other organs (OR = 7.9), a foreign body inflammatory response (OR = 5.3), vascular scarring (OR = 3.4), signs of pulmonary hypertension (OR = 5.4) and right-sided heart pathology (OR = 5.3). CONCLUSIONS Cases of foreign body pulmonary embolization (resulting from injecting crushed tablets meant for oral use, such as benzodiazepines and pharmaceutical opioids) in Sydney, Australia increased markedly from 1997 to 2013. In a large proportion there were clinical consequences. More extensive embolization was associated with higher levels of pulmonary hypertension and right-sided heart pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shane Darke
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Johan Duflou
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Australia.,Department of Forensic Medicine Sydney, NSW Health Pathology, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michelle Torok
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Australia
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Hope VD, Scott J, Cullen KJ, Parry JV, Ncube F, Hickman M. Going into the groin: Injection into the femoral vein among people who inject drugs in three urban areas of England. Drug Alcohol Depend 2015; 152:239-45. [PMID: 25913887 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2014] [Revised: 03/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There have been increasing concerns about injection into the femoral vein - groin injecting - among people who inject drugs in a number of countries, though most studies have been small. The extent, reasons and harms associated with groin injecting are examined. METHOD Participants were recruited using respondent driven sampling (2006-2009). Weighted data was examined using bivariate analyses and logistic regression. RESULTS The mean age was 32 years; 25% were women (N=855). During the preceding 28 days, 94% had injected heroin and 13% shared needles/syringes. Overall, 53% reported ever groin injecting, with 9.8% first doing so at the same age as starting to inject. Common reasons given for groin injecting included: "Can't get a vein elsewhere" (68%); "It is discreet" (18%); and "It is quicker" (14%). During the preceding 28 days, 41% had groin injected, for 77% this was the only body area used (for these "It is discreet" was more frequently given as a reason). In the multivariable analysis, groin injection was associated with: swabbing injection sites; saving filters for reuse; and receiving opiate substitution therapy. It was less common among those injecting into two body areas, and when other people (rather than services) were the main source of needles. Groin injection was more common among those with hepatitis C and reporting ever having deep vein thrombosis or septicaemia. CONCLUSIONS Groin injection was common, often due to poor vascular access, but for some it was out of choice. Interventions are required to reduce injecting risk and this practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- V D Hope
- Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control, Public Health England, London, UK; Centre for Research on Drugs & Health Behaviour, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - J Scott
- Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - K J Cullen
- Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - J V Parry
- Microbiology Services, Public Health England, London, UK; Centre for Research on Drugs & Health Behaviour, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - F Ncube
- Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - M Hickman
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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Croxford S, Platt L, Hope VD, Cullen KJ, Parry JV, Ncube F. Sex work amongst people who inject drugs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland: findings from a National Survey of Health Harms and Behaviours. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2014; 26:429-33. [PMID: 25449053 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2014.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2014] [Revised: 09/25/2014] [Accepted: 09/26/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Croxford
- Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control, Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, United Kingdom.
| | - Lucy Platt
- Centre for Research on Drugs and Health Behaviour, Department of Social and Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Vivian D Hope
- Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control, Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, United Kingdom; Centre for Research on Drugs and Health Behaviour, Department of Social and Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Katelyn J Cullen
- Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control, Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, United Kingdom
| | - John V Parry
- Microbiology Services, Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, United Kingdom
| | - Fortune Ncube
- Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control, Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, United Kingdom
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35
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Hope V, Cullen K, Croxford S, Parry J, Ncube F. Factors associated with the use of cleaned needles and syringes among people who inject drugs in the UK: Who should we target to minimise the risks? THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2014; 25:924-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2014.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2013] [Revised: 02/15/2014] [Accepted: 02/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Neale J, Stevenson C. Positive and negative features of a computer assisted drug treatment program delivered by mentors to homeless drug users living in hostels. J Subst Abuse Treat 2014; 47:258-64. [PMID: 25037480 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2014.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2013] [Revised: 06/03/2014] [Accepted: 06/08/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
This paper explores positive and negative features of computer assisted therapy (CAT) delivered by mentors to homeless drug users (HDUs) living in hostels. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 30 HDUs and 15 mentors (all hostel staff) at the beginning and end of a 12-week CAT program. Findings indicate that successful delivery of the CAT relates to: 'program features' (e.g. its accessibility, flexibility, user-friendly interface); 'delivery context' (e.g. privacy, having appropriate computing equipment), 'client characteristics' (HDUs being recovery-focused and committed to using the program), and 'mentor support' (clients having personalized attention from an encouraging and sympathetic other). It is concluded that CATs can be used with HDUs but are unlikely to replace addiction therapists. Rather, they are more likely to be effective when combined with a strong therapeutic relationship. Services using CATs with HDUs need to provide staff training, support, and time to maximize the potential benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne Neale
- Addictions Department, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, 4 Windsor Walk, London, UK, SE5 8AF; Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Caral Stevenson
- Department of Psychology, Social Work and Public Health, Oxford Brookes University, Jack Straw's Lane, Oxford, UK, OX3 0FL.
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Hope VD, Harris RJ, De Angelis D, Croxford S, Marongiu A, Parry JV, Ncube F. Two decades of successes and failures in controlling the transmission of HIV through injecting drug use in England and Wales, 1990 to 2011. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 19. [PMID: 24739984 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es2014.19.14.20762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Responses to injecting drug use have changed focus over the last 20 years. Prevalence and incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among people who inject drugs (PWID) in England and Wales were examined in relation to these changes. A voluntary unlinked-anonymous surveillance study obtained a biological sample and questionnaire data from PWID through annual surveys since 1990. Prevalence and incidence trends were estimated via generalised linear models, and compared with a policy time-line. Overall HIV prevalence among 38,539 participations was 1.15%. Prevalence was highest among those who started injecting before 1985; throughout the 1990s, prevalence fell in this group and was stable among those who started injecting later. Prevalence was higher in 2005 than 2000 (odds ratio: 3.56 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.40–9.03) in London, 3.40 (95% CI 2.31–5.02) elsewhere). Estimated HIV incidence peaked twice, around 1983 and 2005. HIV was an important focus of policy concerning PWID from 1984 until 1998. This focus shifted at a time when drug use and risk were changing. The increased incidence in 2005 cannot be ascribed to the policy changes, but these appeared to be temporally aligned. Policy related to PWID should be continually reviewed to ensure rapid responses to increased risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- V D Hope
- Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
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38
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Vickerman P, Martin NK, Roy A, Beattie T, Jarlais DD, Strathdee S, Wiessing L, Hickman M. Is the HCV-HIV co-infection prevalence amongst injecting drug users a marker for the level of sexual and injection related HIV transmission? Drug Alcohol Depend 2013; 132:172-81. [PMID: 23453261 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2012] [Revised: 01/28/2013] [Accepted: 01/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amongst injecting drug users (IDUs), HIV is transmitted sexually and parenterally, but HCV is transmitted primarily parenterally. We assess and model the antibody prevalence of HCV amongst HIV-infected IDUs (denoted as HCV-HIV co-infection prevalence) and consider whether it proxies the degree of sexual HIV transmission amongst IDUs. METHODS HIV, HCV and HCV-HIV co-infection prevalence data amongst IDU was reviewed. An HIV/HCV transmission model was adapted. Multivariate model uncertainty analyses determined whether the model's ability to replicate observed data trends required the inclusion of sexual HIV transmission. The correlation between the model's HCV-HIV co-infection prevalence and estimated proportion of HIV infections due to injecting was evaluated. RESULTS The median HCV-HIV co-infection prevalence (prevalence of HCV amongst HIV-infected IDUs) was 90% across 195 estimates from 43 countries. High HCV-HIV co-infection prevalences (>80%) occur in most (75%) settings, but can be lower in settings with low HIV prevalence (<10%) or high HIV/HCV prevalence ratios (HIV prevalence divided by HCV prevalence>0.75). The model without sexual HIV transmission reproduced some data trends but could not reproduce any epidemics with high HIV/HCV prevalence ratios (>0.85) or low HCV-HIV co-infection prevalence (<60%) when HIV prevalence>10%. The model with sexual HIV transmission reproduced data trends more closely. The proportion of HIV infections due to injecting correlated with HCV-HIV co-infection prevalence; suggesting that up to 80/60/<20% of HIV infections could be sexually transmitted in settings with HCV-HIV co-infection prevalence between 50-60/70-80/>90%. CONCLUSION Substantial sexual HIV transmission may occur in many IDU populations; HCV-HIV co-infection prevalence could signify its importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Vickerman
- Social and Mathematical Epidemiology Group London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
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Housing instability among people who inject drugs: results from the Australian needle and syringe program survey. J Urban Health 2013; 90:699-716. [PMID: 22733170 PMCID: PMC3732681 DOI: 10.1007/s11524-012-9730-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
High rates of substance dependence are consistently documented among homeless people, and are associated with a broad range of negative outcomes among this population. Investigations of homelessness among drug users are less readily available. This study examined the prevalence and correlates of housing instability among clients of needle syringe programs (NSPs) via the Australian NSP Survey, annual cross-sectional seroprevalence studies among NSP attendees. Following self-completion of a brief, anonymous survey and provision of a capillary blood sample by 2,396 NSP clients, multivariate logistic regressions identified the variables independently associated with housing instability. Nineteen percent of ANSPS participants reported current unstable housing, with primary ('sleeping rough'; 5 %), secondary (staying with friends/relatives or in specialist homelessness services; 8 %), and tertiary (residential arrangements involving neither secure lease nor private facilities; 6 %) homelessness all evident. Extensive histories of housing instability were apparent among the sample: 66 % reported at least one period of sleeping rough, while 77 % had shifted between friends/relatives (73 %) and/or resided in crisis accommodation (52 %). Participants with a history of homelessness had cycled in and out of homelessness over an average of 10 years; and one third reported first being homeless before age 15. Compared to their stably housed counterparts, unstably housed participants were younger, more likely to be male, of Indigenous Australian descent, and to report previous incarceration; they also reported higher rates of key risk behaviors including public injecting and receptive sharing of injecting equipment. The high prevalence of both historical and current housing instability among this group, particularly when considered in the light of other research documenting the many adverse outcomes associated with this particular form of disadvantage, highlights the need for increased supply of secure, affordable public housing in locations removed from established drug markets and serviced by health, social, and welfare support agencies.
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Taylor A, Munro A, Allen E, Dunleavy K, Cameron S, Miller L, Hickman M. Low incidence of hepatitis C virus among prisoners in Scotland. Addiction 2013; 108:1296-304. [PMID: 23297816 DOI: 10.1111/add.12107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2012] [Revised: 10/12/2012] [Accepted: 12/21/2012] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To estimate hepatitis C virus (HCV) incidence and HCV risk among Scottish prisoners. DESIGN National sero-behavioural survey; dried blood spots were collected in order to identify recent HCV infections (i.e. HCV antibody-negative and HCV polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive). SETTING All 14 closed prisons in Scotland. PARTICIPANTS A total of 5187 prisoners responded to the survey (79% of available prisoners on survey days) comprising 5076 individuals (after removing incomplete returns and participants surveyed in more than one prison); 95% men, 32% (1625) reported an injecting history (PWID) and median sentence of 9.5 months. HCV antibody samples were available for 4904 participants; there was sufficient sera for HCV PCR for 2446 prisoners who had been in prison for at least 75 days. MEASUREMENTS The estimate of in-prison recent infections is based on prisoners incarcerated for a sufficient period, i.e. at least 75 days, so that recent infections could be attributed to prison. FINDINGS Overall HCV prevalence was 19%; 53% among people who reported an injecting history and 3% among other prisoners. Three recent infections probably acquired in prison were detected. None of the cases reported injecting during their current sentence or any other potential exposure. Estimated incidence was 0.6-0.9% overall and 3.0-4.3% among PWID (assuming all infections acquired through injecting). Fifty-seven per cent (929) of PWID were receiving opiate substitution treatment (OST) at the time of the survey. Of all prisoners, 2.5% and 8% of PWID reported injecting during their current period of incarceration. CONCLUSION The low incidence of HCV infections in Scottish prisons is due most probably to the low occurrence of in-prison injecting and high coverage of OST. Low HCV risk can be achieved in prisons without necessarily introducing needle exchange programmes, but close monitoring of risk behaviours is essential. If risk increases, provision of needle exchange should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avril Taylor
- School of Social Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, Scotland.
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Harris M, Rhodes T. Hepatitis C treatment access and uptake for people who inject drugs: a review mapping the role of social factors. Harm Reduct J 2013; 10:7. [PMID: 23651646 PMCID: PMC3686576 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7517-10-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 187] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2012] [Accepted: 04/13/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Evidence documents successful hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment outcomes for people who inject drugs (PWID) and interest in HCV treatment among this population. Maximising HCV treatment for PWID can be an effective HCV preventative measure. Yet HCV treatment among PWID remains suboptimal. This review seeks to map social factors mediating HCV treatment access. Method We undertook a review of the social science and public health literature pertaining to HCV treatment for PWID, with a focus on barriers to treatment access, uptake and completion. Medline and Scopus databases were searched, supplemented by manual and grey literature searches. A two step search was taken, with the first step pertaining to literature on HCV treatment for PWID and the second focusing on social structural factors. In total, 596 references were screened, with 165 articles and reports selected to inform the review. Results Clinical and individual level barriers to HCV treatment among PWID are well evidenced. These include patient and provider concerns regarding co-morbidities, adherence, and side effect management. Social factors affecting treatment access are less well evidenced. In attempting to map these, key barriers fall into the following domains: social stigma, housing, criminalisation, health care systems, and gender. Key facilitating factors to treatment access include: combination intervention approaches encompassing social as well as biomedical interventions, low threshold access to opiate substitution therapy, and integrated delivery of multidisciplinary care. Conclusion Combination intervention approaches need to encompass social interventions in relation to housing, stigma reduction and systemic changes in policy and health care delivery. Future research needs to better delineate social factors affecting treatment access.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Harris
- Centre for Research on Drugs and Health Behaviour, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H9SH, UK.
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Fazito E, Cuchi P, Mahy M, Brown T. Analysis of duration of risk behaviour for key populations: a literature review. Sex Transm Infect 2013; 88 Suppl 2:i24-32. [PMID: 23172343 PMCID: PMC3512397 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2012-050647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The objective of this paper is to review literature in order to calculate regional estimates of the average duration of time individuals maintain a specific high-risk behaviour. Methods The review targeted the key populations of female sex workers (FSW), male clients of female sex workers (MCFSW), people who inject drugs (injecting drug users (IDU)) and high-risk men who have sex with men (MSM). To be included in the review the study had to provide information on (1) the time a person spent at risk until death or cessation of the risk behaviour, (2) the percentage of the sample who initiated the risk behaviour in less than a year or (3) the mean or median duration of the behaviour from a representative sample. Results 49 papers were found for the FSW population describing the period of time FSW stay in sex work to be between 2.9 years (Asia) and 12 years (Latin America). Eight papers were found for MCFSW showing the duration of the risk behaviour in this category varying from 4.6 years in Africa to 32 years in Asia. 86 papers were reviewed for the population of IDU showing that the average time a person injects illegal drugs varies from 5.6 years (Africa) to 21 years (South America). No information was found for duration of high-risk behaviour among MSM; instead, the definitions found in the literature for high- and low-risk behaviour among MSM were described. Conclusions There is high variability of estimates of duration of high-risk behaviours at regional level. More research is needed to inform models and prevention programmes on the average duration of time individuals maintain a specific high-risk behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Fazito
- University of Brasília, 26 Chemin Colladon, 1209 Genève, Suisse, Brasília, Brazil.
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Werb D, Milloy MJ, Kerr T, Zhang R, Montaner J, Wood E. Injection drug use and HIV antiretroviral therapy discontinuation in a Canadian setting. AIDS Behav 2013; 17:68-73. [PMID: 22249956 PMCID: PMC4931799 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-012-0136-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
We investigated whether drug-related behaviors predicted antiretroviral therapy (ART) discontinuation among a cohort of injection drug users (IDU) in a Canadian setting. Cox regression analyses were used to investigate the impact of drug use patterns on rates of ART discontinuation among a sample of HIV-positive IDU in Vancouver, Canada between May 1996 and April 2008. In total, 408 HIV-positive IDU initiated ART during the study period, among whom 257 (63.0%) discontinued ART at least once. Rates of ART discontinuation were not significantly elevated among those who reported ongoing injection of heroin, cocaine, or other illicit drugs in comparison to those who reported not injecting drugs. However, public drug use was significantly predictive of ART discontinuation. Our findings may contribute to a reconsideration of the role of active drug use in determining retention in ART programs among IDU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Werb
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - M-J Milloy
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Thomas Kerr
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
- Division of AIDS, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Ruth Zhang
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Julio Montaner
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
- Division of AIDS, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Evan Wood
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
- Division of AIDS, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Mills HL, Colijn C, Vickerman P, Leslie D, Hope V, Hickman M. Respondent driven sampling and community structure in a population of injecting drug users, Bristol, UK. Drug Alcohol Depend 2012; 126:324-32. [PMID: 22728045 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2012.05.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2012] [Revised: 05/29/2012] [Accepted: 05/29/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A 2006 respondent driven sampling (RDS) survey of injecting drug users (IDUs) in Bristol, UK, estimated 40 per 100 person years HCV incidence but in 2009 another RDS survey estimated only 10 per 100 person years incidence amongst the same population. Estimated increases in intervention exposure do not fully explain the decrease in risk. We investigate whether the underlying contact network structure and differences in the structure of the RDS trees could have contributed to the apparent change in incidence. METHOD We analyse the samples for evidence that individuals recruit participants who are like themselves (assortative recruiting). Using an assortativity measure, we develop a Monte Carlo approach to determine whether the RDS data exhibit significantly more assortativity than is expected for that sample. Motivated by these findings, a network model is used to investigate how much assortativity and the structure of the RDS tree impacts sample estimates of prevalence and incidence. RESULTS The samples suggest there is some assortativity on injecting habits or markers of injecting risk. The 2009 sample has lower assortativity than 2006. Simulations of RDS confirm that assortativity influences the estimated incidence in a population and the structure of RDS samples can result in bias. Our simulations suggest that RDS incidence estimates have considerable variance, making them difficult to use for monitoring trends. CONCLUSIONS We suggest there was likely to have been a decline in risk between 2006 and 2009 due to increased intervention coverage, but the bias and variance in the estimates prevents accurate estimation of the incidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- H L Mills
- Bristol Centre for Complexity Sciences, University of Bristol, UK.
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Vickerman P, Martin N, Turner K, Hickman M. Can needle and syringe programmes and opiate substitution therapy achieve substantial reductions in hepatitis C virus prevalence? Model projections for different epidemic settings. Addiction 2012; 107:1984-95. [PMID: 22564041 DOI: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2012.03932.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2011] [Revised: 02/27/2012] [Accepted: 05/02/2012] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
AIMS To investigate the impact of scaling-up opiate substitution therapy (OST) and high coverage needle and syringe programmes (100%NSP-obtaining more sterile syringes than you inject) on HCV prevalence among injecting drug users (IDUs). DESIGN Hepatitis C virus HCV transmission modelling using U.K. estimates for effect of OST and 100%NSP on individual risk of HCV infection. SETTING Range of chronic HCV prevalent (20/40/60%) settings with no OST/100%NSP, and U.K. setting with 50% coverage of both OST and 100%NSP. PARTICIPANTS Injecting drug users. MEASUREMENTS Decrease in HCV prevalence after 5-20 years due to scale-up of OST and 100%NSP to 20/40/60% coverage in no OST/100%NSP settings, or from 50% to 60/70/80% coverage in the U.K. setting. FINDINGS For 40% chronic HCV prevalence, scaling-up OST and 100%NSP from 0% to 20% coverage reduces HCV prevalence by 13% after 10 years. This increases to a 24/33% relative reduction at 40/60% coverage. Marginally less impact occurs in higher prevalence settings over 10 years, but this becomes more pronounced over time. In the United Kingdom, without current coverage levels of OST and 100%NSP the chronic HCV prevalence could be 65% instead of 40%. However, increasing OST and 100%NSP coverage further is unlikely to reduce chronic prevalence to less than 30% over 10 years unless coverage becomes ≥80%. CONCLUSIONS Scaling-up opiate substitution therapy and high coverage needle and syringe programmes can reduce hepatitis C prevalence among injecting drug users, but reductions can be modest and require long-term sustained intervention coverage. In high coverage settings, other interventions are needed to further decrease hepatitis C prevalence. In low coverage settings, sustained scale-up of both interventions is needed.
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Molecular epidemiology of hepatitis C virus among injection drug users in Iran: a slight change in prevalence of HCV genotypes over time. Arch Virol 2012; 157:1959-65. [PMID: 22695769 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-012-1369-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2012] [Accepted: 04/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Injecting drug users (IDUs) are the main at-risk population for hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission. We studied HCV infection, risk factors, and genotype distribution in relation to the year of first injection among Iranian IDUs. Of a total of 126 specimens positive for HCV antibody, 93 (74 %) had detectible HCV RNA, and the NS5B gene was sequenced for 83, with genotype 3a (n = 48, 58 %) being predominant, followed by 1a (n = 35, 42 %). Tattooing was an independent predictor for HCV infection. No significant difference was found between HCV genotypes and IDU characteristics. Although there was no change in the distribution of prevalent genotypes before and after 1997, a slight variation in the prevalence was observed (p = 0.71). The difference in the prevalence of subtypes 1a and 3a (9.1 % in the period 1984-1996 and 18.2 % in the period 1997-2009) during 25 years was 9.1 %. These findings indicate a high prevalence of HCV infection among Iranian IDUs and highlights HCV-3a as the most prevalent subtype for the past 25 years. Harm-reduction strategies appear to be the most important measures to reduce the transmission of HCV in Iran.
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Vickerman P, Martin NK, Hickman M. Understanding the trends in HIV and hepatitis C prevalence amongst injecting drug users in different settings--implications for intervention impact. Drug Alcohol Depend 2012; 123:122-31. [PMID: 22138540 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2011.10.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2011] [Revised: 10/11/2011] [Accepted: 10/30/2011] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A recent systematic review observed that HIV prevalence amongst injectors is negligible (<1%) below a threshold HCV prevalence of 30%, but thereafter increases with HCV prevalence. We explore whether a model can reproduce these trends, what determines different epidemiological profiles and how this affects intervention impact. METHODS An HIV/HCV transmission model was developed. Univariate sensitivity analyses determined whether the model projected a HCV prevalence threshold below which HIV is negligible, and how different behavioural and epidemiological factors affect the threshold. Multivariate uncertainty analyses considered whether the model could reproduce the observed breadth of HIV/HCV epidemics, how specific behavioural patterns produce different epidemic profiles, and how this affects an intervention's impact (reduces injecting risk by 30%). RESULTS The model projected a HCV prevalence threshold, which varied depending on the heterogeneity in risk, mixing, and injecting duration in a setting. Multivariate uncertainty analyses showed the model could produce the same range of observed HIV/HCV epidemics. Variability in injecting transmission risk, degree of heterogeneity and injecting duration mainly determined different epidemic profiles. The intervention resulted in 50%/28% reduction in HIV incidence/prevalence and 37%/10% reduction in HCV incidence/prevalence over five years. For either infection, greater impact occurred in settings with lower prevalence of that infection and higher prevalence of the other infection. DISCUSSION There are threshold levels of HCV prevalence below which HIV risk is negligible but these thresholds are likely to vary by setting. A setting's HIV and HCV prevalence may give insights into IDU risk behaviour and intervention impact.
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Harrell PT, Mancha BE, Petras H, Trenz RC, Latimer WW. Latent classes of heroin and cocaine users predict unique HIV/HCV risk factors. Drug Alcohol Depend 2012; 122:220-7. [PMID: 22030276 PMCID: PMC3309123 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2011.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2011] [Revised: 09/30/2011] [Accepted: 10/02/2011] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patterns of heroin and cocaine use vary and may be associated with unique risk factors for bloodborne infections. METHODS Latent class analysis identified sub-populations of 552 heroin and cocaine users in Baltimore, Maryland. Using latent class regression, these classes were analyzed for associations with demographic characteristics, risky behaviors, Hepatitis C, and HIV. RESULTS Three classes were found: Crack/Nasal-Heroin users (43.5%), Polysubstance users (34.8%), and Heroin Injectors (21.8%). Compared to Polysubstance users, Crack/Nasal-Heroin users were almost 7 times more likely to identify as Black (OR=6.97, 95% CI=4.35-11.2). Sharing needles was over 2.5 times more likely among Polysubstance users than among Heroin Injectors (OR=2.66, 95% CI=1.49-4.75). Crack/Nasal-Heroin users were 2.5 times more likely than Polysubstance users to exchange drugs for sex (OR=2.50, 95% CI=1.22-5.13). Crack/Nasal-Heroin users were less likely than Heroin Injectors to have Hepatitis C (OR=0.10, 95% CI=0.06-0.18), but no significant differences were found for HIV. CONCLUSIONS Subpopulations of cocaine and heroin users differed in demographic classifications, HIV-risk behaviors, and Hepatitis C infection. All subpopulations included substantial numbers of HIV-positive individuals. Findings provide further evidence that non-injection drug users face significant infectious disease risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- P T Harrell
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Mental Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States.
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Neale J, Stevenson C. Routine exposure to blood within hostel environments might help to explain elevated levels of hepatitis C amongst homeless drug users: insights from a qualitative study. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2012; 23:248-50. [PMID: 22305305 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2012.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2011] [Revised: 01/06/2012] [Accepted: 01/10/2012] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although homelessness is a risk factor for HCV infection, there is a lack of research exploring the relationship between living in a hostel for homeless people and blood-borne viruses. The tendency to focus on risky injecting practices and HCV has also eclipsed the transmission risks potentially posed by spilt and dried blood. METHODS Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 40 homeless drug users (HDUs) (29 men and 11 women). The aim of the study was to explore the support needs of HDUs staying in emergency hostels or night shelters, but blood emerged as an unexpected recurring topic within participants' accounts. Accordingly, all blood data were coded and analysed inductively. RESULTS Participants reported that spilt and dried blood were routine features of hostel life, particularly in larger night shelters. Given that the hepatitis C virus can survive outside the human body for several weeks and even months, this poses a worrying but largely overlooked transmission risk. According to the HDUs interviewed, hostel providers were often slow to remove blood and other bodily waste, leaving residents to clean it themselves or to avoid soiled areas. CONCLUSIONS The routine presence of blood within hostel environments might help to explain elevated levels of HCV amongst homeless drug users. However, there is a need for robust quantitative and qualitative research to systematically test and explore associations between HCV and hostel life. Recommendations are made for improving hostel cleanliness, apprising hostel staff and residents of HCV and other blood-borne virus transmission risks, and ensuring that blood and other bodily waste are deemed unacceptable features of any hostel setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne Neale
- Department of Social Work and Public Health, Oxford Brookes University, Jack Straw's Lane, Marston, Oxford OX3 0FL, UK
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Hope V, Parry JV, Marongui A, Ncube F. Hepatitis C infection among recent initiates to injecting in England 2000-2008: Is a national hepatitis C action plan making a difference? J Viral Hepat 2012; 19:55-64. [PMID: 22187945 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2010.01415.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Around 80% of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in England are among injecting drug users (IDUs). The HCV Action Plan launched in 2004 includes targets to reduce HCV prevalence in recent initiates (those starting injecting in the preceding 3 years), and to increase HCV voluntary confidential testing (VCT). The Action Plan's impact is examined using surveillance data from recent initiates participating in an annual survey of IDUs in contact with specialist services across England, 2000-2008. Participants provided an oral fluid sample (tested for anti-HCV) and completed a short questionnaire (including HCV VCT and result of last test). Overall, anti-HCV prevalence among the recent initiates was 18% (619/3463); in 2004, it was 20% (59/291), other than being lower in 2000 [11%, 73/672, adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.63 95%CI 0.42-0.93] there was no change over time. Prevalence increased with age; was higher among those ever imprisoned, using a needle exchange, and having a HCV VCT; and varied by region. Overall, 42% (1460) had ever had a HCV VCT; in 2004 uptake was 45% (130/291) having increased from 26% (175/672, AOR = 0.57 95%CI 0.42-0.77) in 2000, and it rose to 62% (197/320, AOR = 2.12 95%CI 1.50-2.99) in 2008. The proportion of anti-HCV-positive IDUs aware of their infection was higher in 2006-2008 than in earlier years. The HCV Action Plan has probably helped increase recent initiates' uptake of HCV VCT and the proportion of those diagnosed with HCV infection. However, its impact on HCV transmission is unclear. There is a need to reinvigorate, and improve coverage of, interventions to prevent HCV transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Hope
- Centre for Infections, Health Protection Agency, London, UK
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