Methamphetamine injection independently predicts hepatitis C infection among street-involved youth in a Canadian setting.
Street-involved youth are an important population with respect to hepatitis C. We therefore undertook this study to determine factors associated with HCV-antibody-positive status among street-involved youth. Vulnerabilities included injection drug use and at least once-daily heroin and crystal methamphetamine injection. Implementing injection drug use prevention, evidence-based opioid substitution and crystal methamphetamine treatment programs for street-involved youth is critical.
Miller
Cari L
CL
Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.
Kerr
Thomas
T
Fischer
Benedikt
B
Zhang
Ruth
R
Wood
Evan
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000209:etiology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D018453:Homeless Youth; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D008694:Methamphetamine