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Background: The Tracks survey of people who inject drugs (PWID) collected data in 14 sentinel sites across Canada (2017-2019). These findings describe the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C and associated risk behaviours among Indigenous participants.Methods: Information regarding socio-demographics, social determinants of health, use of prevention services and testing, drug use, risk behaviours, and HIV and hepatitis C testing, care and treatment was collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires. Biological samples were tested for HIV, hepatitis C antibodies and hepatitis C ribonucleic acid (RNA). Descriptive statistics were calculated and reviewed by an Indigenous-led advisory group using the Two-Eyed Seeing approach.Results: Of the 2,383 participants, 997 were Indigenous (82.9% First Nations, 14.9% Métis, 2.2% Inuit). Over half (54.5%) were cisgender male and the average age was 38.9 years. A large proportion (84.0%) reported their mental health as "fair to excellent". High proportions experienced stigma and discrimination (90.2%) and physical, sexual and/or emotional abuse in childhood (87.5%) or with a sexual partner (78.6%). Use of a needle/syringe distribution program (90.5%) and testing for HIV (87.9%) and hepatitis C (87.8%) were high. Prevalence of HIV was 15.4% (78.2% were aware of infection status) and 36.4% were hepatitis C RNA-positive (49.4% were aware of infection status).Conclusion: High rates of HIV and hepatitis C were identified. Challenges in access to and maintenance of HIV and hepatitis C care and treatment were noted. This information informs harm reduction strategies, including the need to scale-up awareness of prophylaxis in a culturally relevant manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Tracks survey of people who inject drugs (PWID) collected data in 14 sentinel sites across Canada (2017-2019).Objective: To describe the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C and associated risk behaviours and to examine trends over time.Methods: Information regarding socio-demographics, social determinants of health, use of prevention services and testing, drug use, risk behaviours, and HIV and hepatitis C testing, care and treatment was collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires. Biological samples were tested for HIV, hepatitis C antibodies and hepatitis C ribonucleic acid (RNA). Descriptive statistics were calculated and trends over time were assessed.Results: Of the 2,383 participants, 65.6% were cisgender male, 42.2% were Indigenous, 48.0% completed some high school or less, 62.6% lived in unstable housing and 75.7% had ever been incarcerated. Average age was 40.1 years. The majority experienced stigma and discrimination (88.7%) and physical, sexual and/or emotional abuse in childhood (85.0%) or with a sexual partner (75.9%). The majority reported use of a needle/syringe distribution program (90.1%) and tested for HIV (90.5%) and hepatitis C (90.9%).Among participants who had ever had sex, the majority (59.2%) reported inconsistent condom use during vaginal and/or anal sex with a casual sex partner. Prevalence of HIV was 10.3% (82.9% were aware of infection status) and many (36.9%) were hepatitis C RNA-positive (50.1% were aware of infection status).Most surveillance indicators remained relatively stable from Phase 1 to Phase 4. Changes were found in substances used, and improvements were noted related to HIV and hepatitis C prevalence and care cascade indicators.Conclusion: Many PWID in Canada were living in unstable housing and experienced high levels of stigma and discrimination. Prevalence of HIV and hepatitis C was high in some areas. These findings contribute to the evidence base used to inform targeted prevention and control measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]