Prevalence of hepatitis C among injection drug users in England and Wales: is harm reduction working?
OBJECTIVE
This study sought to establish the prevalence of hepatitis C antibodies (anti-HCV) and hepatitis B antibodies (anti-HBc) among injection drug users in England and Wales.


METHODS
A voluntary cross-sectional survey collected oral fluid samples and behavioral information; 2203 injectors were recruited through drug agencies, and 758 were recruited in the community.


RESULTS
Prevalence was 30% for anti-HCV, 21% for anti-HBc, and 0.9% for HIV antibodies. Anti-HCV prevalence rates were significantly greater among those with longer injecting careers, those in older age groups, those residing in London, those recruited in drug agencies, those positive for anti-HBc, and those with a previous voluntary HIV test.


CONCLUSIONS
Anti-HCV prevalence rates among injectors in England and Wales, where comprehensive harm reduction programs exist, are lower than rates in other industrialized countries.
Hope
V D
VD
Public Health Laboratory Service, Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, 61 Colindale Ave, London NW9 5EQ, United Kingdom. vhope@phls.org.uk
Judd
A
A
Hickman
M
M
Lamagni
T
T
Hunter
G
G
Stimson
G V
GV
Jones
S
S
Donovan
L
L
Parry
J V
JV
Gill
O N
ON
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000821:virology*; D014852:Wales / Q000453:epidemiology