Trends in Hepatitis C Virus Treatment Uptake Among People Attending Australian Needle and Syringe Programs
Despite recommendations for hepatitis C (HCV) treatment among people with injection drug use (IDU), treatment initiation for this population remains low worldwide. This study examined trends in HCV treatment and correlates among people with IDU attending the Australian Needle and Syringe Programs between 1999 and 2011. This was a secondary data analysis of an annual self-report survey of people with IDU attending needle and syringe programs, which captures information about demographics, injection and sexual risk, history of HIV and HCV testing and treatment, as well as collection of a capillary blood sample. The study sample included 9748 subjects with self-reported and serologically confirmed HCV-antibody positivity.
- The proportion of participants currently receiving HCV treatment increased from 1.1% to 2.1%, and the proportion ever receiving treatment increased from 3.4% to 8.6%.
- Men were more likely than women to have received HCV treatment (7% versus 5%).
- Predictors of HCV treatment among men included homosexual identity and ≥ 45 years of age. Among women, predictors included homosexual identity and a history of imprisonment.
Comments:
This study highlights the potential role for specialized HCV treatment approaches among people with IDU attending needle and syringe programs. Future research should explore barriers and correlates for HCV treatment uptake among people who are actively using injection drugs. Attention should be focused not only on those attending needle and syringe programs, but also those engaged in drug treatment in an effort to expand access to HCV treatment, especially as new and improved therapy options continue to emerge.
Jeanette M. Tetrault, MD
Reference:
Iversen J, Grebely J, Topp L, et al. Uptake of hepatitis C treatment among people who inject drugs attending Needle and Syringe Programs in Australia, 1999–2011. J Viral Hepat. 2013 [Epub ahead of print]. doi: 10.111/jvh.12129.