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Bailey K, Abramovitz D, Rangel G, Harvey-Vera A, Vera CF, Patterson TL, Sánchez-Lira JA, Davidson PJ, Garfein RS, Smith LR, Pitpitan EV, Goldenberg SM, Strathdee SA. Safe Injection Self-Efficacy is Associated with HCV and HIV Seropositivity Among People Who Inject Drugs in the San Diego-Tijuana Border Region. AIDS Behav 2024:10.1007/s10461-024-04433-9. [PMID: 39060837 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-024-04433-9] [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] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Safe injection self-efficacy (SISE) is negatively associated with injection risk behaviors among people who inject drugs (PWID) but has not been examined in differing risk environments. We compared responses to a validated SISE scale between PWID in San Diego, California and Tijuana, Mexico, and examine correlates of SISE among PWID in Tijuana. PWID were recruited via street outreach for a longitudinal cohort study from October 2020-September 2021. We compared SISE scale items by city. Due to low variability in SISE scores among San Diego residents, we restricted analysis of factors associated with SISE to Tijuana residents and identified correlates of SISE score levels (low, medium, high) using ordinal logistic regression. Of 474 participants, most were male (74%), Latinx (78%) and Tijuana residents (73%). Mean age was 44. Mean SISE scores among San Diego residents were high (3.46 of 4 maximum) relative to Tijuana residents (mean: 1.93). Among Tijuana residents, White race and having previously resided in San Diego were associated with higher SISE scores. HCV and HIV seropositivity, homelessness, fentanyl use, polysubstance co-injection, and greater injection frequency were associated with lower SISE scores. We found profound inequalities between Tijuana and San Diego SISE, likely attributable to differential risk environments. Associations with fentanyl and polysubstance co-injection, injection frequency, and both HIV and HCV seropositivity suggest that SISE contribute to blood-borne infection transmission risks in Tijuana. SISE reflects an actionable intervention target to reduce injection risk behaviors, but structural interventions are required to change the risk environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie Bailey
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, USA.
- School of Social Work, San Diego State University, San Diego, USA.
| | | | - Gudelia Rangel
- Colegio de la Frontera Norte Mexico, Tijuana, Mexico
- Comisión de Salud Fronteriza México-Estados Unidos, Sección Mexicana, Tijuana, Mexico
| | | | - Carlos F Vera
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, USA
| | | | | | - Peter J Davidson
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, USA
| | - Richard S Garfein
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, San Diego, USA
| | - Laramie R Smith
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, USA
| | - Eileen V Pitpitan
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, USA
- School of Social Work, San Diego State University, San Diego, USA
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Bailey K, Abramovitz D, Rangel G, Harvey-Vera A, Vera CF, Patterson TL, Arredondo Sánchez-Lira J, Davidson PJ, Garfein RS, Smith LR, Pitpitan EV, Goldenberg SM, Strathdee SA. Safe Injection Self-Efficacy is associated with HCV and HIV seropositivity among people who inject drugs in the San Diego-Tijuana border region. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.05.21.24307696. [PMID: 38826285 PMCID: PMC11142293 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.21.24307696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Background Safe injection self-efficacy (SISE) is negatively associated with injection risk behaviors among people who inject drugs (PWID) but has not been examined in differing risk environments. We compared responses to a validated SISE scale between PWID in San Diego, California and Tijuana, Mexico, and examine correlates of SISE among PWID in Tijuana. Methods PWID were recruited via street outreach for a longitudinal cohort study from October 2020 - September 2021. We compared SISE scale items by city. Due to low variability in SISE scores among San Diego residents, we restricted analysis of factors associated with SISE to Tijuana residents and identified correlates of SISE scores (low, medium, high) using ordinal logistic regression. Results Of 474 participants, most were male (74%), Latinx (78%) and Tijuana residents (73%). Mean age was 44. Mean SISE scores among San Diego residents were high (3.46 of 4 maximum) relative to Tijuana residents (mean: 1.93). Among Tijuana residents, White race and having previously resided in San Diego were associated with higher SISE scores. HCV and HIV seropositivity, homelessness, fentanyl use, polysubstance co-injection, and greater injection frequency were associated with lower SISE scores. Conclusions We found profound inequalities between Tijuana and San Diego SISE, likely attributable to differential risk environments. Associations with fentanyl and polysubstance co-injection, injection frequency, and both HIV and HCV seropositivity suggest that SISE contribute to blood-borne infection transmission risks in Tijuana. SISE reflects an actionable intervention target to reduce injection risk behaviors, but structural interventions are required to intervene upon the risk environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie Bailey
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, USA
- School of Social Work, San Diego State University, USA
| | | | - Gudelia Rangel
- Colegio de la Frontera Norte Mexico, Tijuana, Mexico
- Comisión de Salud Fronteriza México-Estados Unidos, Sección Mexicana, Tijuana, Mexico
| | | | - Carlos F. Vera
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, USA
| | | | | | | | - Richard S. Garfein
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, USA
| | - Laramie R. Smith
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, USA
| | - Eileen V. Pitpitan
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, USA
- School of Social Work, San Diego State University, USA
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Hall EW, Bradley H, Barker LK, Lewis KC, Shealey J, Valverde E, Sullivan P, Gupta N, Hofmeister MG. Estimating hepatitis C prevalence in the United States, 2017-2020. Hepatology 2024:01515467-990000000-00878. [PMID: 38739849 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) underestimates the true prevalence of HCV infection. By accounting for populations inadequately represented in NHANES, we created 2 models to estimate the national hepatitis C prevalence among US adults during 2017-2020. APPROACH AND RESULTS The first approach (NHANES+) replicated previous methodology by supplementing hepatitis C prevalence estimates among the US noninstitutionalized civilian population with a literature review and meta-analysis of hepatitis C prevalence among populations not included in the NHANES sampling frame. In the second approach (persons who injected drugs [PWID] adjustment), we developed a model to account for the underrepresentation of PWID in NHANES by incorporating the estimated number of adult PWID in the United States and applying PWID-specific hepatitis C prevalence estimates. Using the NHANES+ model, we estimated HCV RNA prevalence of 1.0% (95% CI: 0.5%-1.4%) among US adults in 2017-2020, corresponding to 2,463,700 (95% CI: 1,321,700-3,629,400) current HCV infections. Using the PWID adjustment model, we estimated HCV RNA prevalence of 1.6% (95% CI: 0.9%-2.2%), corresponding to 4,043,200 (95% CI: 2,401,800-5,607,100) current HCV infections. CONCLUSIONS Despite years of an effective cure, the estimated prevalence of hepatitis C in 2017-2020 remains unchanged from 2013 to 2016 when using a comparable methodology. When accounting for increased injection drug use, the estimated prevalence of hepatitis C is substantially higher than previously reported. National action is urgently needed to expand testing, increase access to treatment, and improve surveillance, especially among medically underserved populations, to support hepatitis C elimination goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric W Hall
- OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Heather Bradley
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Laurie K Barker
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Karon C Lewis
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jalissa Shealey
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Eduardo Valverde
- National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Patrick Sullivan
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Neil Gupta
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Megan G Hofmeister
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Klaman SL, Godino JG, Northrup A, Lewis SV, Tam A, Carrillo C, Lewis R, Matthews E, Mendez B, Reyes L, Rojas S, Ramers C. Does a simplified algorithm and integrated HCV care model improve linkage to care, retention, and cure among people who inject drugs? A pragmatic quality improvement randomized controlled trial protocol. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:105. [PMID: 38238686 PMCID: PMC10797714 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-08982-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As many as 2.4 million Americans are affected by chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in the United States.In 2018, the estimated number of adults with a history of HCV infection in San Diego County was 55,354 (95% CI: 25,411-93,329). This corresponded to a seroprevalence of 2.1% (95% CI: 2.1-3.4%). One-third of infections were among PWID. Published research has demonstrated that direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have high efficacy and can now be used by primary care providers to treat HCV. In addition, limited evidence exists to support the effectiveness of simplified algorithms in clinical trial and real-world settings. Even with expanded access to HCV treatment in primary care settings, there are still groups, especially people who inject drugs (PWID) and people experiencing homelessness, who experience treatment disparities due to access and treatment barriers. The current study extends the simplified algorithm with a streetside 'one-stop-shop' approach with integrated care (including the offer of buprenorphine prescriptions and abscess care) using a mobile clinic situated adjacent to a syringe service program serving many homeless populations. Rates of HCV treatment initiation and retention will be compared between patients offered HCV care in a mobile clinic adjacent to a syringe services program (SSP) and homeless encampment versus those who are linked to a community clinic's current practice of usual care, which includes comprehensive patient navigation. METHODS A quasi-experimental, prospective, interventional, comparative effectiveness trial with allocation of approximately 200 patients who inject drugs and have chronic HCV to the "simplified care" pathway (intervention group) or the "usual care" pathway (control group). Block randomization will be performed with a 1:1 randomization. DISCUSSION Previous research has demonstrated acceptable outcomes for patients treated using simplified algorithms for DAAs and point-of-care testing in mobile medical clinics; however, there are opportunities to explore how these new, innovative systems of care impact treatment initiation rates or other HCV care cascade outcomes among PWID. TRIAL REGISTRATION We have registered our study with ClinicalTrials.gov, a resource of the United States National Library of Medicine. This database contains research studies from United States and other countries around the world. Our study has not been previously published. The ClinicalTrials.gov registration identifier is NCT04741750.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacey L Klaman
- Laura Rodriguez Research Institute - Family Health Centers of San Diego, 1750 Fifth Avenue, San Deigo, CA, 92101, USA
| | - Job G Godino
- Laura Rodriguez Research Institute - Family Health Centers of San Diego, 1750 Fifth Avenue, San Deigo, CA, 92101, USA.
| | - Adam Northrup
- Laura Rodriguez Research Institute - Family Health Centers of San Diego, 1750 Fifth Avenue, San Deigo, CA, 92101, USA
| | - Sydney V Lewis
- Laura Rodriguez Research Institute - Family Health Centers of San Diego, 1750 Fifth Avenue, San Deigo, CA, 92101, USA
| | - Aaron Tam
- Laura Rodriguez Research Institute - Family Health Centers of San Diego, 1750 Fifth Avenue, San Deigo, CA, 92101, USA
| | - Carolina Carrillo
- Laura Rodriguez Research Institute - Family Health Centers of San Diego, 1750 Fifth Avenue, San Deigo, CA, 92101, USA
| | - Robert Lewis
- Laura Rodriguez Research Institute - Family Health Centers of San Diego, 1750 Fifth Avenue, San Deigo, CA, 92101, USA
| | - Eva Matthews
- Laura Rodriguez Research Institute - Family Health Centers of San Diego, 1750 Fifth Avenue, San Deigo, CA, 92101, USA
| | - Blanca Mendez
- Laura Rodriguez Research Institute - Family Health Centers of San Diego, 1750 Fifth Avenue, San Deigo, CA, 92101, USA
| | - Letty Reyes
- Laura Rodriguez Research Institute - Family Health Centers of San Diego, 1750 Fifth Avenue, San Deigo, CA, 92101, USA
| | - Sarah Rojas
- Laura Rodriguez Research Institute - Family Health Centers of San Diego, 1750 Fifth Avenue, San Deigo, CA, 92101, USA
| | - Christian Ramers
- Laura Rodriguez Research Institute - Family Health Centers of San Diego, 1750 Fifth Avenue, San Deigo, CA, 92101, USA
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Cheema JS, Mathews WC, Wynn A, Bamford LB, Torriani FJ, Hill LA, Rajagopal AV, Yin J, Jain S, Garfein RS, Cachay ER, Martin NK. Hepatitis C Virus Micro-elimination Among People With HIV in San Diego: Are We on Track? Open Forum Infect Dis 2023; 10:ofad153. [PMID: 37065984 PMCID: PMC10099471 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofad153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Rising incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among people with HIV (PWH) in San Diego County (SDC) was reported. In 2018, the University of California San Diego (UCSD) launched a micro-elimination initiative among PWH, and in 2020 SDC launched an initiative to reduce HCV incidence by 80% across 2015-2030. We model the impact of observed treatment scale-up on HCV micro-elimination among PWH in SDC. Methods A model of HCV transmission among people who inject drugs (PWID) and men who have sex with men (MSM) was calibrated to SDC. The model was additionally stratified by age, gender, and HIV status. The model was calibrated to HCV viremia prevalence among PWH in 2010, 2018, and 2021 (42.1%, 18.5%, and 8.5%, respectively), and HCV seroprevalence among PWID aged 18-39 years, MSM, and MSM with HIV in 2015. We simulate treatment among PWH, weighted by UCSD Owen Clinic (reaching 26% of HCV-infected PWH) and non-UCSD treatment, calibrated to achieve the observed HCV viremia prevalence. We simulated HCV incidence with observed and further treatment scale-up (+/- risk reductions) among PWH. Results Observed treatment scale-up from 2018 to 2021 will reduce HCV incidence among PWH in SDC from a mean of 429 infections/year in 2015 to 159 infections/year in 2030. County-wide scale-up to the maximum treatment rate achieved at UCSD Owen Clinic (in 2021) will reduce incidence by 69%, missing the 80% incidence reduction target by 2030 unless accompanied by behavioral risk reductions. Conclusions As SDC progresses toward HCV micro-elimination among PWH, a comprehensive treatment and risk reduction approach is necessary to reach 2030 targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaskaran S Cheema
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - William C Mathews
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Adriane Wynn
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Laura B Bamford
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Francesca J Torriani
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Lucas A Hill
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Amutha V Rajagopal
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Jeffrey Yin
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Sonia Jain
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Richard S Garfein
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Edward R Cachay
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Natasha K Martin
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
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Hassan A, Agustin HGS, Burke L, Kofron R, Corado K, Bolan R, Landovitz RJ, Dubé MP, Morris SR. Low incidence and prevalence of hepatitis C in two cohorts of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis adherence interventions in men who have sex with men in Southern California. J Viral Hepat 2022; 29:529-535. [PMID: 35357767 PMCID: PMC9908082 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been associated with incident hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in men who have sex with men (MSM) due to decreased condom use. We examined rates of HCV among MSM and transgender women at high-risk of HIV on PrEP in Southern California using data from two trials (NCT01761643 and NCT01781806). Five of 599 participants (0.84%, 95% CI, 0.27-1.93) had HCV antibodies detected at entry. Factors associated with HCV seropositivity included being older (p = .002) and lower education level (p < .001). HCV-positive participants had no reported cases of sexually transmitted infection (rectal, urethral or pharyngeal gonorrhoea and/or chlamydia) at entry while HCV-negative participants had a prevalence of 18% (95% CI, 15%-21%). There were no significant differences in substance use and sexual risk behaviour between HCV-positive and HCV-negative participants 1-3 months prior to entry. Among early PrEP adopters, incident HCV did not occur despite ongoing condomless intercourse. Screening intervals for HCV in MSM on PrEP should be led by a risk behaviour assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adiba Hassan
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA,Department of Epidemiology, University of California Los Angeles Fielding School of Public Health, CA, USA * research was conducted at Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | - Leah Burke
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Ryan Kofron
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Katya Corado
- Division of HIV Medicine, Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Michael P Dubé
- Department of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sheldon R Morris
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
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