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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
High prevalence of alcohol use among hepatitis C virus antibody positive injection drug users in three US cities
Drug and Alcohol Dependence, Volume 81, No. 3, Year 2006
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Description
Injection drug users (IDUs) acquire the majority of new hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections and frequently use alcohol. Alcohol abuse accelerates liver disease among HCV-infected persons, can reduce the effectiveness of treatment for HCV infection and may be a contraindication for HCV treatment. HCV seropositive, HIV-negative IDUs aged 18-35 years in Baltimore, New York City and Seattle who were enrolled in a behavioral risk-reduction intervention trial underwent computerized self-interviews to assess baseline alcohol use and dependence and medical history. We measured problem alcohol use using the 10-item Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scale. Of 598 participants, 84% responded "false" to: "it is safe for a person with HCV to drink alcohol". Problem drinking, defined as score ≥8 on AUDIT, was identified in 37%. Correlates of scoring ≥8 on AUDIT included homelessness, male gender, primarily injecting speedballs, having injected with used needles, prior alcohol treatment and depression. Although most HCV seropositive IDUs in our sample appear informed about their increased risk of liver disease from alcohol, two-fifths screened positive for problem alcohol use. These findings underscore the importance of referring HCV-positive persons to effective alcohol treatment programs to reduce future liver damage and improve eligibility for and effectiveness of treatment of HCV. © 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Authors & Co-Authors
Campbell, Jennifer V.
Unknown Affiliation
Hagan, Holly C.
United States, New York
New York University
Latka, Mary H.
United States, New York
New York Academy of Medicine
Garfein, Richard S.
United States, La Jolla
Uc San Diego School of Medicine
Golub, Elizabeth Topper
United States, Baltimore
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Coady, Micaela H.
United States, New York
New York Academy of Medicine
Thomas, David L.
United States, Baltimore
Johns Hopkins University
Strathdee, Steffanie Anne
United States, La Jolla
Uc San Diego School of Medicine
Statistics
Citations: 70
Authors: 8
Affiliations: 5
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2005.07.005
ISSN:
03768716
Research Areas
Infectious Diseases
Mental Health
Substance Abuse
Study Design
Randomised Control Trial
Cross Sectional Study
Participants Gender
Male