Document 0379
 DOCN  M9590379
 TI    Hepatitis C prevalence, incidence and risk factors among injecting drug
       users in Sydney.
 DT    9509
 AU    van Beek I; Dwyer R; Kaldor JM; Kirketon Road Centre, Kings Cross.
 SO    Annu Conf Australas Soc HIV Med. 1994 Nov 3-6;6:110 (unnumbered
       abstract). Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ASHM6/95291720
 AB    OBJECTIVE: To measure hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence, incidence and
       risk factors among injecting drug users (IDUs). METHODS: The prevalence
       of HCV infection at first test was calculated for all IDUs attending KRC
       from February 1992 to July 1994. Incidence was calculated using the
       person years method for all IDUs retested during this period. The
       association of HCV prevalence and incidence with calendar time and
       demographic factors was assessed using information routinely obtained
       for all IDUs tested at KRC. RESULTS: During the study period, HCV
       antibody testing was carried out on 749 IDUs. Overall prevalence at
       first test was 48.7% and was similar in females (n = 387, 51.3%), males
       (n = 351, 46.5%) and transgender clients (n = 11, 45.5%) and higher in
       IDUs aged 30 or over (n = 214, 72.4%) compared with those under 20 (n =
       90, 17.8%) and those aged 20-29 (n = 445, 43.6%). Of the 81 (21%) IDUs
       who were retested, 9 (11.1%) seroconverted representing an annual
       incidence of 16 per 100 person years (25 for males, 5.8 for females and
       39 for transgender clients). In the first half of the study period (Feb
       92 to April 93) the annual incidence was 14 per 100 person years while
       in the second half of the study period (May, 93 to July 94) the
       incidence was 16. CONCLUSION: HCV prevalence remains high among young
       IDUs. Incidence was high among IDUs tested at KRC, particularly in
       males. Incidence did not change significantly over the two study
       periods. These findings imply that efforts to date have not been fully
       effective in preventing HCV and potentially HIV infection among IDUs.
 DE    Adolescence  Adult  Cross-Sectional Studies  Female  Hepatitis
       C/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/TRANSMISSION  Human  Incidence  Male  Middle Age  New
       South Wales/EPIDEMIOLOGY  Risk Factors  Sex Behavior  Substance Abuse,
       Intravenous/COMPLICATIONS/*EPIDEMIOLOGY  MEETING ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).