Author information
1The Graduate Center at the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA; Center for Drug Use and HIV Research, New York, NY, USA. Electronic address: ae.jordan@nyu.edu.
2Center for Drug Use and HIV Research, New York, NY, USA; Mount Sinai Beth Israel, Baron Edmond de Rothschild Chemical Dependency Institute, 120 Water St, Floor 24, New York, NY 10038, USA.
3City University of New York, Hunter College, 2180 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10035, USA.
4Center for Drug Use and HIV Research, New York, NY, USA; Mount Sinai Beth Israel, 120 East 16th Street, New York, NY 10003, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Hepatitis C virus infection is a source of significant preventable morbidity and mortality among persons who inject drugs (PWID). We sought to assess trends in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among PWID from 2006 to 2013 in New York City (NYC).
METHODS:
Annual cross-sectional surveys of PWID entering a large drug abuse treatment program were performed. Risk behavior questionnaires were administered, and HIV and HCV testing were conducted. Comparisons were made with prior prevalence and incidence estimates in 1990-1991 and 2000-2001 reflecting different periods of combined prevention and treatment efforts.
RESULTS:
HCV prevalence among PWID (N: 1535) was 67% (95% CI: 66-70%) during the study period, and was not significantly different from that observed in 2000-2001. The estimated HCV incidence among new injectors (persons injecting for ≤6 years) during 2006-2013 was 19.5/100 PYO (95% CI: 17-23) and did not differ from that observed in 2000-2001 (18/100 PYO, 95% CI: 14-23/100).
CONCLUSIONS:
Despite the expansion of combined prevention programming between 2000-2001 and 2006-2013, HCV prevalence remained high. Estimated HCV incidence among new injectors also remained high, and not significantly lower than in 2000-2001, indicating that expanded combined prevention efforts are needed to control the HCV epidemic among PWID in NYC.