Evidence for a substantial role of sharing of injecting paraphernalia other than syringes/needles to the spread of hepatitis C among injecting drug users

J Viral Hepat. 2006 Aug;13(8):560-70. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2006.00725.x.

Abstract

In industrialized countries, transmission of hepatitis C occurs primarily through injecting drug use. Transmission of hepatitis C in injecting drug users is mainly associated with the sharing of contaminated syringes/needles, although evidence for risk of hepatitis C infection through sharing of other injecting paraphernalia is increasing. In this paper, the independent effects of sharing paraphernalia other than syringes/needles have been estimated. The prevalence and force of infection were modelled using three serological data sets from drug users in three centres in Belgium as a function of the sharing behaviour. It was found that sharing of materials other than syringes/needles indeed seemed to contribute substantially to the spread of hepatitis C among injecting drug users.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Belgium
  • Disease Transmission, Infectious*
  • Female
  • Hepacivirus / growth & development*
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies / blood
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / transmission*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Biological*
  • Needle Sharing*
  • Prevalence
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous / virology*

Substances

  • Hepatitis C Antibodies