"The first shot": the context of first injection of illicit drugs, ongoing injecting practices, and hepatitis C infection in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Cadernos de Saúde Pública

Maria De Lourdes Aguiar Oliveira²  Mariana A. Hacker¹  Sabrina Alberti Nóbrega De Oliveira²  Paulo Roberto Telles¹  Kycia Maria Rodrigues Do Ó²  Clara Fumiko Tachibana Yoshida²  Francisco I. Bastos¹ 

[1] ,Fundação Oswaldo Cruz Instituto Oswaldo Cruz Rio de Janeiro,Brasil

关键词: Intravenous Substance Abuse;    Needle Sharing;    Hepatitis C Virus;    Street Drugs;    Uso Indevido de Drogas Parenterais;    Uso Comum de Agulhas e Seringas;    Vírus da Hepatite C;    Drogas Ilícitas;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S0102-311X2006000400024

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

The context of first drug injection and its association with ongoing injecting practices and HCV (hepatitis C virus) infection were investigated. Injection drug users (IDUs) (N = 606) were recruited in "drug scenes" (public places, bars) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, interviewed, and tested for HCV. Sharing of needles/syringes was more prevalent at the first injection (51.3%) than at the baseline interview (36.8%). Those who shared syringes/needles at first injection were more likely to be currently engaged in direct/indirect sharing practices. Among young injectors (< 30 years), those reporting sharing of needles/ syringes at the first injection were about four times more likely to have been infected by HCV. Hepatitis C virus prevalence among active IDUs (n = 272) was 11%. Prison history and longer duration of drug injection were identified as independent predictors of HCV infection. To effectively curb HCV transmission among IDUs and minimize harms associated with risk behaviors, preventive strategies should target individuals initiating drug injection beginning with their very first injection and discourage the transition from non-injecting use to the self-injection of illicit drugs.

【 授权许可】

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