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RISK INDICATORS FOR HIV AND HCV INFECTION AMONG INJECTING DRUG USERS IN REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN
Williamson NJ1, Archibald CP1, Rendall S2, Hay K3, Findlater R2
1Bureau of HIV/AIDS, STD and TB, Population and Public Health Branch, Health Canada; 2Regina Health District, Saskatchewan; 3University of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Objective: To examine the risk indicators associated with HIV and HCV infection in a predominantly Aboriginal population of IDUs in Regina.
Methods: A survey was conducted among IDUs who were over 13 years old, had injected during the past 12 months and were able to speak English. Data were collected during 2000. Risk behaviour questionnaires were administered to users who agreed to participate and blood was drawn for HIV and HCV antibody testing. Eligible participants were recruited through service agencies and by word of mouth.
Results: From the sample population of 255, 91% of whom were Aboriginal, 118 participants were positive for HCV (46.5%) and five were HIV positive (2%). Four of the five HIV-infected individuals were also infected with HCV. Compared to uninfected persons, those infected with HIV or HCV were more likely to be 30 years and older (72.3% vs 49.6%), to have injected for more than 10 years (54.6% vs 23%), to have borrowed used needles (89% vs 78.4%) or syringes (88% vs 75.7%), and to have had a blood transfusion (29% vs 22.2%).
Conclusions: There were few HIV infections among this study population, but HCV clearly had established a presence. Although HIV can be transmitted in several ways, HCV has been shown to be acquired mainly through injecting drugs. Concentrating on the risky behaviours of those infected with HCV can provide evidence for the focus of public health programs in order to prevent HCV as well as HIV infections transmitted via the drug injecting process.