UNITED KINGDOM: Prevalence and Determinants of Hepatitis C Virus Infection Among Female Drug Inje

June 21, 2008

cdc 06-20-08

UNITED KINGDOM: " Prevalence and Determinants of Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Among Female Drug Injecting Sex Workers in Glasgow "

Harm Reduction Journal Vol. 5; No. 11: doi: 10.1186/1477-7517-5-11

(03.20.08):: Avril ; Sharon J. Hutchinson; Gail Gilchrist; Sheila Cameron;

Carr; J. Goldberg

Noting that few studies on hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence have focused on

women who finance their drug use through street sex work, the authors reported

the findings of a survey of these women in Glasgow, Scotland.

The study was centered on a health and social care drop-in center in an area of

Glasgow known for prostitution. During a four-week period in 1999, all women who

attended the center were invited to take part. Participation involved providing

a saliva sample for anonymous HCV testing and self-completion of a questionnaire

that collected data on demographics and sexual and drug injection practices.

Fifty-one percent of the 223 women who visited the center agreed to participate.

Of the 98 women who provided a sufficient saliva sample, 64 percent tested HCV

antibody positive (95 percent CI: 54-74 percent). Of those who tested positive,

98 percent had ever injected drugs. After adjusting for the 85 percent

sensitivity of the saliva test, the HCV antibody prevalence among the injection

drug using (IDU) sex workers was 81 percent. This rate was considerably higher

than those recorded contemporaneously among Glasgow IDUs generally. The results

highlighted two factors that were independently associated with HCV antibody

positivity in saliva, ever having shared needles or syringes (adjusted OR,

5.7,95 percent CI 2-16), and number of times imprisoned (adjusted OR 7.3, 95

percent CI 1.4-39, for more than five times, compared to zero times).

In their conclusion, the authors noted that women who finance their drug habits

through street sex work " are a particularly desperate, chaotic, and vulnerable

population. This study demonstrates that their HCV infection risk may be greater

than that of other IDUs. Those responsible for designing interventions to

prevent HCV infection among IDUs should consider the special needs of this

group. "

_________________________________________________________________

The i’m Talkathon starts 6/24/08. For now, give amongst yourselves.

Recommended Posts