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Abstract
Awareness of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection status is expected to influence risk behaviors. In 2004–2005, injection drug users (IDUs) recruited from syringe exchange programs (SEPs) and methadone clinics in Montreal, Canada, were interviewed on drug use behaviors (past 6 months) and HCV testing. Subjects (n = 230) were classified as low/intermediate risk (20.4% borrowed drug preparation equipment only) and high risk (19.6% borrowed syringes), and 54.5% reported being HCV positive. Logistic regression modeling showed that compared to no risk (60% borrowed nothing), low/intermediate risk was associated with fewer noninjecting social network members, poor physical health, and problems obtaining sterile injecting equipment. High risk was associated with all of these factors except social networks. HCV status was not associated with any level of risk. Improved access to sterile injecting equipment may be more important than knowledge of HCV status in reducing injection risks among this IDU population. The study limitations are noted and recommendations discussed.
Notes
1Treatment can be briefly and usefully defined as a planned, goal-directed change process, which is bound (by culture, place, time, etc.) and can be categorized into professional-based, tradition-based, mutual-help-based (AA, NA, and the like), and self-help (“natural recovery”) models. There are no unique models or techniques used with substance users—of whatever types—which aren't also used with nonsubstance users. In the West, with the relatively new ideology of “harm reduction” and the even more recent “quality of life (QOL)” model there are now new sets of goals in addition to those derived from/associated with the older tradition of abstinence-driven treatment models. Editor's note.