Increased risk for hepatitis C associated with solvent use among Canadian Aboriginal injection drug users
Solvent abuse is a particularly serious issue affecting Aboriginal
people. Here we examine the association between solvent use and
socio-demographic variables, drug-related risk factors, and pathogen
prevalence in Aboriginal injection drug users (IDU) in Manitoba, Canada.
Methods: Data originated from a cross-sectional survey of IDU from December 2003 to September 2004.
Associations between solvent use and variables of interest were assessed by multiple logistic regression.
Results:
A total of 266 Aboriginal IDU were included in the analysis of which 44
self-reported recent solvent use. Hepatitis C infection was 81% in
solvent-users, compared to 55% in those reporting no solvent use.
In multivariable models, solvent-users were younger and more likely to
be infected with hepatitis C (AOR: 3.5; 95%CI: 1.3,14.7), to have
shared needles in the last six months (AOR: 2.6; 95%CI:1.0,6.8), and to
have injected talwin &Ritalin (AOR: 10.0; 95%CI:
3.8,26.3).Interpretation: High hepatitis C prevalence, even after
controlling for risky injection practices, suggests that solvent users
may form closed networks of higher risk even amongst an already
high-risk IDU population. Understanding the social epidemiological
context of inititation and maintenance of solvent use is necessary to
address the inherent inequalities encountered by this subpopulation of
substance users, and may inform prevention strategies for other
marginalized populations.
Author: Souradet ShawKathleen DeeringAnn JollyJohn Wylie
Credits/Source: Harm Reduction Journal 2010, 7:16
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