Nyamathi A, Gelberg L, Morisky D, Leake B; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 2000 Jul 9-14; 13: abstract no. ThPeD5494.
A. Nyamathi, University of California, Los Angeles, Room 2-250, Factor Building, Box 951702, Los Angeles, Califorinia 90095-1702, United States, Tel.: +(310) 825-8405, Fax: +(310) 206-7433, E-mail: anyamath@sonnet.ucla.edu
Background: Nationwide, the homeless are at high risk for HIV and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV); with 10% of HCV-infected individuals co-infected with HIV. Sexual transmission of HCV is still unclear and controversial. In this study we seek to determine: 1) the prevalence of HCV in homeless women and among their sexual partners; 2) examine the associations between HCV test positivity and known risk factors; and 3) assess risk factors associated with infection in homeless persons and their intimate partners. Method: The prevalence of HCV in 318 homeless women and their 318 male sexual partners was assessed by means of HCV antibody assays. Data from psychometrically sound instruments, including the MHI-5, three BSI subscales, the Health Interview Questionnaire, and known behavioral risk factors were assessed. Results: Findings revealed a HCV prevalence of 41% among homeless women and their intimate partners. In individuals who reported lifetime injecting drug use (IDU), the HCV sero-prevalence was 69%, compared to 34% in individuals who did not report IDU. Twenty four percent of the 318 couples had positive HCV tests for both members. Among 214 couples with no suggested history of IDU, 15% had two HCV positive members. In contrast, both members were found to be positive in 61% of couples who both reported lifetime IDU, and in 35% of couples where only one member did so. Gender, education, race, STD history, emotional and physical health status, reported use of condoms and frequency of sexual activities, were not related to having a positive HCV test result. Results of multiple logistic regression analysis controlling for clustering within couples indicated that older age, a lifetime history of IDU, amphetamine use, having multiple sexual partners and no history of drug treatment independently predicted HCV test positivity (p > .001). Conclusions: The role of sexual transmission of HCV seems likely and is worthy of continued investigation.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Female
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Hepacivirus
- Hepatitis C
- Hepatitis C Antibodies
- Homeless Persons
- Humans
- Male
- Prevalence
- Risk Factors
- Sexual Behavior
- Sexual Partners
- epidemiology
Other ID:
UI: 102242121
From Meeting Abstracts