1. Evaluating the prevalence of current hepatitis C infection and treatment among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who inject drugs in Australia: The ETHOS engage study.
- Author
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Hobday S, Valerio H, Combo T, Monaghan R, Scott C, Silk D, Murray C, Read P, Henderson C, Degenhardt L, Treloar C, Dore GJ, Grebely J, and Martinello M
- Subjects
- Male, Humans, Adult, Female, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Prevalence, Australia epidemiology, Hepacivirus, RNA, Substance Abuse, Intravenous epidemiology, Hepatitis C drug therapy, Hepatitis C epidemiology
- Abstract
Introduction: Evaluating progress towards hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is critical given the disproportionate burden of infection. We examined factors associated with current HCV infection and self-reported treatment among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (hereafter referred to as Aboriginal peoples) and non-Aboriginal peoples who inject drugs (PWID) in Australia., Methods: ETHOS Engage is an observational cohort study of PWID attending drug treatment and needle and syringe programs in Australia. Participants underwent point-of-care HCV RNA testing (Xpert HCV RNA Viral Load Fingerstick) and completed a questionnaire including self-reported history of HCV treatment., Results: Between May 2018 and June 2021, 2395 participants were enrolled and 555 (23%) identified as Aboriginal (median age 42 years, 58% were men, 63% injected drugs in last month, 76% ever incarcerated). HCV RNA prevalence was 23% among Aboriginal PWID (24% in 2018-2019 and 21% in 2019-2021; p = 0.44), and 21% among non-Aboriginal PWID (24% in 2018-2019 and 16% in 2019-2021; p < 0.001). Self-reported HCV treatment was 65% among Aboriginal PWID (63% in 2018-2019 and 69% in 2019-2021; p = 0.30), and 70% among non-Aboriginal PWID (67% in 2018-2019 and 75% in 2019-2021; p < 0.001). Among Aboriginal PWID, current HCV infection was associated with recently injecting drugs and receiving opioid agonist treatment, and self-reported HCV treatment was negatively associated with younger age, homelessness and recently injecting drugs., Discussion and Conclusions: Equitable access to HCV care and prevention is needed to ensure Australia meets its elimination targets among Aboriginal PWID., (© 2023 The Authors. Drug and Alcohol Review published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs.)
- Published
- 2023
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