Determinants of HIV and hepatitis C comorbidity among people who inject drugs

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Abstract

For the last few years, Latvia has had one of the leading positions of HIV incidence in the EU, and injecting drug use is the second main mode of HIV transmission. Due to similar transmission routes of both viruses, HIV and hepatitis C comorbidity among people who inject drugs (PWID) is high and ranges from 70% to 83% in the European region. The study aims to analyse factors associated with HIV and hepatitis C comorbidity among PWID.
Methodology.
Data from the 12th phase of the Drug User’s Cohort Study (carried out in 2020 in 5 cities in Latvia) was used. The research was held by the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control of Latvia and NGO “DIA+LOGS”. Out of 341 PWID, 293 had a positive status of HIV and/or hepatitis C and were retained for the analysis. Odds ratios of the determinants were estimated across PWID with dual infection vs. PWID with hepatitis C only. Descriptive and univariate statistical analysis was carried out using IBM SPSS 24.0 software.
Results.
The prevalence of HIV and hepatitis C among problem drug users was 27.6% (n = 94) and 85.9% (n = 293). Among infected PWID, the majority had hepatitis C only – 68.8% (n = 201), and 31.4% (n = 92) had a dual infection. Drug users 35 years old and older had 3.4 (95%CI 1.6 - 7.2) greater odds of having dual infection compared to the younger ones. Injection experience of 15 years and more indicated greater odds of dual infection compared to PWID with shorter experience (OR = 4.1, 95%CI 1.8 – 9.5). Polydrug users had 2.6 (95% CI 1.2 – 5.8) higher odds of dual infection than the PWID using one drug only. PWID with dual infection were more likely to share syringes (OR = 3.3; 95%CI 1.8 – 6.3) and injection equipment (OR = 2.6, 95%CI 1.5 – 4.3) in a lifetime, than PWID with one viral infection. Also, imprisonment in a lifetime indicated 2.8 (95% CI 1.6 – 4.8) greater odds of dual infection compared to those who were not imprisoned.
Conclusion.
PWID with HIV and hepatitis C comorbidity had higher odds of drug-injection-related risk behaviour than PWID with hepatitis C only. Also, PWID with dual infection was older and had long experience injecting drugs
Original languageEnglish
Pages12
Number of pages1
Publication statusPublished - 12 Dec 2022
EventEECA INTERACT 2022 - Riga, Latvia
Duration: 13 Dec 202214 Dec 2022
https://linktr.ee/eecainteract2022
https://eeca-interact.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/INTERACT-Abstract-Book-2022.pdf

Workshop

WorkshopEECA INTERACT 2022
Abbreviated titleEECAINTERACT
Country/TerritoryLatvia
CityRiga
Period13/12/2214/12/22
Internet address

Field of Science*

  • 3.1 Basic medicine
  • 3.2 Clinical medicine

Publication Type*

  • 3.4. Other publications in conference proceedings (including local)

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