Hepatitis C and Substance Use in a Sample of Homeless People in New York City

• NCJ Number: 192500
• Journal: Journal of Addictive Diseases Volume: 20 Issue: 4 Dated: 2001 Pages: 15-25
• Author(s): Andrew Rosenblum; Larry Nuttbrock; Hunter L. McQuistion; Stephen Magura; Herman Joseph
• Date Published: 2001
• Length: 11 pages
• Grant Number(s): R01 DA10431
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies and its association with substance use and sexual behavior.

Abstract

The population studied was a sample of 139 persons visiting a mobile medical clinic in Manhattan. Ninety percent were unstably housed or were living on the street. The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies was 32 percent. Prevalence was also high for hepatitis B core antibodies (47 percent), HIV antibodies (15 percent), and syphilis exposure (14 percent); 76 percent tested positive for cocaine. Among subjects who reported ever injecting (20 percent), 86 percent were HCV positive; 19 percent of non-injectors were HCV positive. In separate multivariate logistic regression models (with injection controlled) HCV was predicted by quantitative hair assays for cocaine and self-reported duration of crack cocaine use. Alcohol dependence and sexual behavior did not predict HCV. Hepatitis C is a significant public health problem among the urban homeless population, with injection drug use and, to a lesser extent, cocaine use implicated as risk factors. Tables, references