Faculty, Staff and Student Publications
Publication Date
9-17-2024
Journal
BMC Infectious Diseases
Abstract
Background: Prior research predominantly examined the association between HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) or those using injection drugs and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, limited attention has been given to understanding the association among HIV-negative MSM who do not inject drugs. This gap leaves apportion of the population unexamined, potentially overlooking important factor that may contribute to the transmission and prevalence of HCV. This study aims to investigate the relationship between non-injection drug use and HCV infection in this population.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed data on 118 MSM who reported use of non-injection drugs. The participants were recruited from two inner-city communities in Houston, TX, between 2004 and 2007 and were negative for both HIV and hepatitis B virus infection. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify drug use latent classes. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between drug use latent class and HCV infection.
Results: Four distinct latent classes of drug use were identified: class 1, persons ≥ 42 years of age who used only crack cocaine; class 2, persons approximately 42 years of age who used > 2 drugs; class 3, persons < 42 years of age who used > 5 drugs; and class 4, persons ≥ 42 years of age who used > 6 drugs. Class 4 was significantly associated with HCV infection. The odds of HCV infection in members of class 4 was 17 times higher than in class 2 members (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 16.9, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4-205.4) and almost 22 times higher than in class 3 members (aOR = 21.8, 95% CI: 1.5-322.8).
Conclusions: Among MSM with non-injection drug use, the subgroup of individuals who were ≥ 42 years of age and used multiple drugs (including heroin, speedball, methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and marijuana) had a high probability of HCV infection. Public health and education programs, as well as drug treatment and rehabilitation programs, should be developed for this high-risk subgroup of individuals to prevent HCV acquisition and transmission.
Keywords
Humans, Male, Hepatitis C, Adult, Cross-Sectional Studies, Homosexuality, Male, Middle Aged, Substance-Related Disorders, Young Adult, Risk Factors, Texas, Prevalence, Hepatitis C virus, Non-injection drug use, Men who have sex with men, Latent class analysis, Multinomial logistic regression, HIV-negative MSM
DOI
10.1186/s12879-024-09685-3
PMID
39285350
PMCID
PMC11406739
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
9-17-2024
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Post-print
Published Open-Access
yes
Included in
Diseases Commons, Hepatology Commons, Public Health Commons, Substance Abuse and Addiction Commons