Risk factors for hepatitis C seropositivity among young people who inject drugs in New York City: Implications for prevention.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a significant problem in the United States, with people who inject drugs (PWID) disproportionately afflicted. Over the last decade rates of heroin use have more than doubled, with young persons (18-25 years) demonstrating the largest increase. METHODS:We conducted a cross-sectional study in New York City from 2005 to 2012 among young people who injected illicit drugs, and were age 18 to 35 or had injected drugs for ≤5 years, to examine potentially modifiable factors associated with HCV among young adults who began injecting during the era of syringe services. RESULTS:Among 714 participants, the median age was 24 years; the median duration of drug injection was 5 years; 31% were women; 75% identified as white; 69% reported being homeless;

SUBMITTER: Eckhardt B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5438142 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature