PMID: 16617553Apr 19, 2006Paper

Hepatitis A prevalence among injection drug users

Clinical Laboratory Science : Journal of the American Society for Medical Technology
Rebecca WellsAdi Jaffe

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop a descriptive model of the association between injection drug use and hepatitis A (HAV) in a sample of injection drug users (IDUs). From May 1997 to July 1999, 493 subjects were administered the NIDA Risk Behavior Assessment (RBA). Participants had blood drawn; sera were tested for antibodies to HAV, hepatitis B core (HBcAB), and hepatitis C. The principal method of analysis was logistic regression. The study took place in a community-based field station in Anchorage, Alaska. Eligibility was determined using the following criteria: a) age greater than 17 years, b) possession of picture identification, c) positive urinalysis for cocaine metabolites, morphine, and/or amphetamines using the ONTRAK system (Roche Diagnostics), and d) injection drug use in the last six months as confirmed by presentation of track marks. Presence of antibodies to HAV infection. The prevalence of total HAV antibody in our sample was 33% (161/493). The final multivariate logistic model, using positive HAV serostatus as the outcome, included positive HBcAB serostatus (OR = 3.43; 95% CI, 2.22-5.30), less than high school education (vs. high school or greater education) (OR = 2.05; 95% CI, 1.33-3.17), age (OR = 1.06...Continue Reading

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