Sexual and Other Noninjection Risks for HBV and HCV Seroconversions among Noninjecting Heroin Users

• DOI: 10.1086/512081
• Publication Date: 2007-03-03T00:59:44Z
• Authors: Alan Neaigus; V. Anna Gyarmathy; Mingfang Zhao; Maureen Miller; Samuel R. Friedman; Don C. Des Jarlais
• Keywords: Seroconversion; Hepatitis C; Hepatitis B

Many heroin users do not inject drugs but may still be at risk of infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B (HBV), and C (HCV), via sexual or other noninjection-related activity.Noninjecting (NIUs) in New York City who were recruited prospectively followed during March 1996-February 2003 tested for anti-HIV, anti-hepatitis core antigen, anti-HCV interviewed about their noninjecting risk. A seroconversion is represented by the first positive test result after last negative result. Hazard ratios (HRs) (P<.05) estimated use Cox proportional hazards regression.Of 253 HIV-negative participants, 2 seroconverted (0.29/100 person-years [pyar]); 184 HBV-negative 16 (3.3/100 pyar); and, 219 HCV-negative (2.7/100 pyar). Independent predictors were, HBV, being a female engages unprotected receptive anal sex (HR, 6.8), having short-term partners 6.2), male 5.7); HCV, receives money/drugs 5.6) sharing crack-use equipment 4.5).NIUs are considerable HBV high-risk sex; activity equipment. Interventions NIUs must seek to reduce drug-use