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Sexual risk for hepatitis B virus infection among hepatitis C virus-negative heroin and cocaine users

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 September 2005

J. D. RICH
Affiliation:
Brown Medical School/The Miriam Hospital, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Providence, RI, USA
B. J. ANDERSON
Affiliation:
Brown Medical School/Rhode Island Hospital, Division of General Internal Medicine, Providence, RI, USA
B. SCHWARTZAPFEL
Affiliation:
Brown Medical School/The Miriam Hospital, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Providence, RI, USA
M. D. STEIN
Affiliation:
Brown Medical School/Rhode Island Hospital, Division of General Internal Medicine, Providence, RI, USA
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Abstract

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Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) are highly prevalent, often co-occuring infections among drug users. We examined HBV prevalence and risk behaviour patterns among a group of HCV-negative heroin and/or cocaine users in order to understand HBV risk and prevention opportunities among this unique group. Of 164 people enrolled, 44% had injected drugs. Overall, 24% of participants tested positive for exposure to HBV; drug injectors (28%) were only slightly and not significantly (P=0·287) more likely to test positive than those who had never injected drugs (21%). HBV exposure was significantly associated with multiple indicators of greater sex risk. HBV status was not associated with any demographic characteristic, but participants who reported longer duration of cocaine use were significantly less likely to test positive to exposure for HBV. It appears that HBV risk among HCV-negative drug users in this cohort is primarily due to sexual behaviour.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
2005 Cambridge University Press