Evaluating the prevalence of current hepatitis C infection and treatment among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who inject drugs in Australia: The ETHOS engage study.
Drug Alcohol Rev
; 42(7): 1617-1632, 2023 11.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37556376
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Evaluating progress towards hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is critical given the disproportionate burden of infection. We examined factors associated with current HCV infection and self-reported treatment among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (hereafter referred to as Aboriginal peoples) and non-Aboriginal peoples who inject drugs (PWID) in Australia.METHODS:
ETHOS Engage is an observational cohort study of PWID attending drug treatment and needle and syringe programs in Australia. Participants underwent point-of-care HCV RNA testing (Xpert HCV RNA Viral Load Fingerstick) and completed a questionnaire including self-reported history of HCV treatment.RESULTS:
Between May 2018 and June 2021, 2395 participants were enrolled and 555 (23%) identified as Aboriginal (median age 42 years, 58% were men, 63% injected drugs in last month, 76% ever incarcerated). HCV RNA prevalence was 23% among Aboriginal PWID (24% in 2018-2019 and 21% in 2019-2021; p = 0.44), and 21% among non-Aboriginal PWID (24% in 2018-2019 and 16% in 2019-2021; p < 0.001). Self-reported HCV treatment was 65% among Aboriginal PWID (63% in 2018-2019 and 69% in 2019-2021; p = 0.30), and 70% among non-Aboriginal PWID (67% in 2018-2019 and 75% in 2019-2021; p < 0.001). Among Aboriginal PWID, current HCV infection was associated with recently injecting drugs and receiving opioid agonist treatment, and self-reported HCV treatment was negatively associated with younger age, homelessness and recently injecting drugs. DISCUSSION ANDCONCLUSIONS:
Equitable access to HCV care and prevention is needed to ensure Australia meets its elimination targets among Aboriginal PWID.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Substance Abuse, Intravenous
/
Hepatitis C
Type of study:
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
Oceania
Language:
En
Journal:
Drug Alcohol Rev
Journal subject:
TRANSTORNOS RELACIONADOS COM SUBSTANCIAS
Year:
2023
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Australia