Follow-up for medical care among drug users with hepatitis C.
Prevalence of hepatitis C (HCV) in injection drug users (IDUs) is high and once HCV has been detected, follow-up medical care is essential. Six hundred and one current and former IDUs who tested positive for HCV antibodies received referrals for medical care. Twenty-four percent (147) of participants returned to be interviewed regarding their medical follow-ups. Of these, only 42% (61) had sought additional medical care in the form of further liver or blood tests or liver ultrasound. Four variables predicted seeking medical care: (a) ever being in residential drug treatment, (b) ever trading sex for money, (c) self-reported homelessness, and (d) living in one's own apartment or house. Having income from a job was inversely associated with seeking medical care. Knowledge of HCV infection alone does not mean that IDUs will seek medical care. Additional education concerning medical care and treatment options are needed to address IDU needs.
Reynolds
Grace L
GL
Center for Behavioral Research and Services, California State University, Long Beach, CA 90813, USA. greynol2@csulb.edu
Fisher
Dennis G
DG
Jaffe
Adi
A
Edwards
Jordan
J
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications*