Correlates of hepatitis C testing among heroin injectors in Sydney.
OBJECTIVE
Hepatitis C infection is a significant public health problem with most cases occurring among injecting drug users (IDUs). Little is known about the uptake of testing. The study examined correlates of hepatitis C testing among heroin users.


METHODS
Current heroin users, recruited through needle and syringe programs, methadone clinics and via snowballing, were interviewed about hepatitis C testing.


RESULTS
Four hundred heroin users were interviewed and most (91%) reported having been tested for hepatitis C. Females and those with a history of incarceration or drug treatment were more likely to have been tested, but those who had been using for two years or less were not.


CONCLUSIONS
Hepatitis C testing is common among heroin users. Groups most at risk of infection are being tested.
Day
Carolyn
C
National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, University of New South Wales.
Dolan
Kate
K
D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications*