title: Access to sterile injecting equipment is more important than awareness of HCV status for injection risk behaviors among drug users.
abstract: Awareness of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection status is expected to influence risk behaviors. In 2004-2005, injection drug users (IDUs) recruited from syringe exchange programs (SEPs) and methadone clinics in Montreal, Canada, were interviewed on drug use behaviors (past 6 months) and HCV testing. Subjects (n = 230) were classified as low/intermediate risk (20.4% borrowed drug preparation equipment only) and high risk (19.6% borrowed syringes), and 54.5% reported being HCV positive. Logistic regression modeling showed that compared to no risk (60% borrowed nothing), low/intermediate risk was associated with fewer noninjecting social network members, poor physical health, and problems obtaining sterile injecting equipment. High risk was associated with all of these factors except social networks. HCV status was not associated with any level of risk. Improved access to sterile injecting equipment may be more important than knowledge of HCV status in reducing injection risks among this IDU population. The study limitations are noted and recommendations discussed.
authors.affiliation: Direction de Santé publique, Agence de la Santé et des services Sociaux de Montreal, Montreal, Canada. jcox@santepub-mtl.qc.ca
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: Carole
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Morissette
authors.forename: Prithwish
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tremblay
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Allard
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Graves
authors.forename: Randolph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stephenson
authors.forename: Elise
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Roy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone; D008875:Middle Aged; D018671:Needle-Exchange Programs; D011792:Quebec; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012944:Social Support; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000523:psychology* / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D008691:Methadone