AEGiS-14IAC: Second generation: young injection drug users with family history of IDU at higher risk for HIV &hepatitis C infections.

14th International AIDS Conference

Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

Second generation: young injection drug users with family history of IDU at higher risk for HIV &hepatitis C infections.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. ThOrC1392)

Stein ES, Evans JL, Page-Shafer K, Hahn JA, Lum PJ, Moss AR
University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, United States

BACKGROUND: Young people from injection drug using families are at high risk for injection drug use (IDU) themselves. We looked at family history of injection, risk behaviors, and HIV and HCV prevalence in the UFO Study, a sample of street-recruited injectors under age 30 in San Francisco. Those initiated into injecting by a family member were also examined.

METHODS: Current IDU under 30 were recruited between January 2000-December 2001. Behavioral risk data was collected using a structured interview, participants were pre-test counseled, and serologic samples for anti-HCV and HIV were collected. We compared IDU who grew up with a parent or other family member injecting drugs in the home to those who did not.

RESULTS: 840 IDU were interviewed and tested for HIV and HCV. Median age was 22 years, 20% were non-white, 4% were HIV positive, and 38% were anti-HCV positive. 218 (26%) reported a family history of IDU. They were more likely to be anti-HCV positive (45% v 36%, OR=1.4, 95% CI, 1.1-2.0), non-white (25% v 18%, OR=1.5, 95% CI, 1.1-2.2), homeless (79% v 67%, OR=1.9, 95% CI, 1.3-2.7), initiated IDU at <15 years (28% v 14%, OR=2.3, 95% CI, 1.6-3.3), have an IDU sex partner (70% v 60%, OR=1.6, 95% CI, 1.2-2.3), and to report needle borrowing (76% v 67%, OR=1.6, 95% CI, 1.1-2.2). 5.1% were HIV sero-positive vs 3.6% among all others. 6% of those interviewed (51/840) were initiated into injecting by a family member and were significantly more likely to be HIV positive (9.8% v 3.6%, OR=2.9, 95% CI, 1.1-8.0). There were no differences between groups with respect to gender, symptoms of depression as measured by the CESD-8, or utilization of medical care.

CONCLUSIONS: Family history of injecting is a risk factor even within a high-risk young injector population. Those initiated by a family member are at greatly increased risk for HCV and HIV infections. Alertness to this risk group should be emphasized and focused interventions early on should be developed.

Keywords: AEGIS, Hepatitis C, Substance Abuse, Intravenous, HIV Infections, Prevalence, Hepatitis C Antibodies, Risk-Taking, Risk Factors, Sexual Partners, Hepacivirus, Substance-Related Disorders, San Francisco, immunology

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