Factors associated with HCV test uptake in heroin users entering substitution treatment in Greece. (28th February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Anagnostou, O; Fotiou, A; Kanavou, E; Antaraki, A; Terzidou, M; Richardson, C; Kafetzopoulos, E
• Other Names: Alexakou Konstantina investigator.; Androulakis Giorgos investigator.; Chalkiadakis Emmanuel investigator.; Detsi Ioanna investigator.; Drimousi Anastasia investigator.; Frontzou Dimitra investigator.; Gargoulaki Melpomeni investigator.; Iosifidou Maria investigator.; Kaliva Katerina investigator.; Katsilli Anna investigator.; Kollia Stavroula investigator.; Kollitsida Maria investigator.; Kotsalis Argyrios investigator.; Makristathi Spiroula investigator.; Papadopoulos Theodoros investigator.; Petroulaki Eleftheria investigator.; Pinakas Vasilis investigator.; Spirellis Michael investigator.; Stamatopoulos Konstantinos investigator.; Stavridou Victoria investigator.; Irena Yolanda investigator.; Topalidi Stepen investigator.; Tanis Christos investigator.; Tsantilas Anastasios investigator.; Tsekoura Panayiota investigator.; Tsirogianni Effrosyni investigator.
• Is Part Of: HIV medicine. Volume 19(2018)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 34
• Page End: 39
• Publication Date: 2018-02-28
• Subjects: Greece -- hepatitis C -- heroin users -- testing; HIV infections -- Treatment -- Periodicals; HIV-positive persons -- Periodicals; HIV infections -- Treatment -- Decision making -- Periodicals; 616.9792
• DOI: 10.1111/hiv.12589
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1464-2662

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: People who inject drugs (PWID) represent the main risk group for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in most middle and high‐income countries. Testing PWID is considered as an important prevention measure. Identification of PWID characteristics associated with HCV testing may contribute to strategies targeting the containment of the HCV and HIV epidemics in Greece. Methods: Anonymous behavioural data from 2747 heroin users were collected upon entry in 38 opioid substitution treatment (OST) clinics in Greece during the period 2013–2015. HCV test uptake was the dependent variable while covariates included sociodemographic and addiction‐related variables, mostly derived from the EMCDDA treatment demand indicator protocol. Results: Among 2299 cases with complete data on HCV testing, 83.5% reported any HCV testing uptake, with 61.2% reporting a recent test (< 12 months). In the multivariate analyses, any previous HCV testing uptake was associated with age ≥ 25 years, past drug treatment attempt, injecting or sniffing the primary substance, injection history ≥ 5 years, and syringe sharing earlier than the past 12 months. Past HCV test uptake was higher among those reporting full‐time employment and 2–4 years injecting histories, and lower among residents of Athens. Recent testing was positively associated with female gender and polysubstance use. Conclusion: Any previous HCV testing uptake is high among PWID entering OST in Greece and is associated with older age, longer injecting histories and past drug‐related treatment attempts. Efforts to prevent and mitigate the ongoing HCV test epidemic among PWID in Greece should combine treatment with scaling up of screening, targeting especially those younger than 25 years and at the beginning of their hazardous use.