AEGiS-15IAC: HIV and HCV co-infection among street-recruited injection drug users in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

HIV and HCV co-infection among street-recruited injection drug users in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. C12400)

Reyes JC, Robles RR, Colon HM, Rios E, Marrero CA, Matos TD, Calderon JM, Shepard EW
Center for Addiction Studies, Universidad Central del Caribe, Bayamon, Puerto Rico

BACKGROUND: HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection among injection drug users (IDUs) is a growing global health concern, particularly in Caribbean countries such as Puerto Rico, where injection drug use is the main mechanism of HIV transmission. The aims of this study were to estimate rates of HIV and HCV co-infection among IDUs and to identify risk factors associated with co-infection.

METHODS: The sample was drawn from a target population of IDUs not in treatment, living in the San Juan metropolitan area of Puerto Rico. A total of 400 IDUs were recruited using a variety of outreach strategies. HIV and HCV infection were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and/or polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Information on sociodemographics, drug use patterns, and risk behaviors was obtained by interview. Bivariate analysis and logistic regression were used in the analysis.

RESULTS: The sample was predominantly male (77.8%) with a mean age of 32.8 years (SD = 9.1). The overall prevalence of HIV infection was 17.0%. Among HIV-infected subjects, 95.2% were co-infected with HCV. Consistent with previous studies, increasing age, increasing years of injection, history of sharing syringes, and history of injecting in shooting galleries were found to be associated with co-infection in the multivariate analysis. In addition, reports of tattooing or body piercing in correctional facilities were significantly associated with co-infection.

CONCLUSIONS: The high rate of HIV - HCV co-infection among out-of-treatment IDUs in Puerto Rico indicates that more aggressive treatment and prevention programs addressing both infections are urgently needed.

Keywords: AEGIS, HIV Seropositivity, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Body Piercing, Substance Abuse, Intravenous, Hepacivirus, HIV Infections, Prevalence, Communicable Diseases, Risk Factors, Risk-Taking, Puerto Rico, Male, surgery

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