Study on Risk Factors Associated With Injection Drug Use
The Department of Health will work with the Eastern Regional Health Board to respond to findings of a report released today on rates of hepatitis C, hepatitis B and HIV among injection drug users and sexual partners of injection drug users in the eastern health region.
The Eastern Region Project took place between October 1996 and February 1997. The results show that among participating injection drug users, HIV prevalence was five per cent, hepatitis B was 23 per cent and hepatitis C was 47 per cent. Among participating sexual partners of injection drug users, the HIV prevalence was one per cent, hepatitis B was five per cent and hepatitis C was one per cent.
"This was the first time a study of this type was conducted in a rural area of Canada," said Dr. Jeff Scott, provincial medical officer of health. "It focused on the eastern region as there seemed to be increasing cases of HIV related to injection drug use. We will now review the report's findings."
Sharing needles and practising unsafe sex increase the risk of infection for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. Sixty-four per cent of the injection drug users interviewed reported borrowing needles and 50 per cent reported lending their needles or drug injection gear during their last six months of use.
According to the provincial surveillance system, out of 1,297 reported cases of hepatitis C, 43 per cent have reported injection drug use as their only risk factor. The numbers of newly reported HIV cases continue to be between 30 and 35 per year. However, before 1990 less than four per cent were related to injection drug use. Since 1996, almost 30 per cent have been associated with injection drug use.
Based on the studies' findings, the study team made the following recommendations:
- provide local anonymous testing services
- ensure alcohol use is addressed in any drug-awareness campaign
- provide early educational intervention
- ensure ongoing monitoring of high-risk populations
- continue to support a needle-exchange program
- continue to strengthen and support drug-addiction services
- incorporate harm-reduction measures in correctional facilities
- provide infectious disease treatment services
More than 200 current and former adult injection drug users from the eastern health region and sexual partners of injection drug users were interviewed. The majority of persons at risk for hepatitis B infection received a vaccination.
The Eastern Region Project study was initiated by the Nova Scotia Department of Health in association with the Laboratory Centre for Disease Control, Health Canada. Public health staff from the eastern health region recruited and interviewed the study participants through the local needle-exchange program, a 1-800 phone line and the Cape Breton Correctional Centre.
Anyone with questions or concerns about infectious diseases or drug dependency are reminded to call their local public health office or addictions services office.