Hepatitis B virus infection and vaccination among young injection and non-injection drug users: Missed opportunities to prevent infection

Irene Kuo; Susan G. Sherman; David L. Thomas; Steffanie A. Strathdee

doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2003.10.007

Hepatitis B virus infection and vaccination among young injection and non-injection drug users: Missed opportunities to prevent infection

Irene Kuo, Susan G. Sherman, David L. Thomas, Steffanie A. Strathdee

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

71 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: We examined correlates of HBV infection and vaccination and the missed vaccination opportunities among young injection drug users (IDUs) and non-injection drug users (NIDUs). Methods: Two hundred IDUs and 124 NIDUs aged 15-30 years were studied. Demographics, drug use and sexual behaviors, and health and incarceration history data were collected. Serology was conducted for antibodies to HBV-core antigen (anti-HBc) and HBV-surface antigen (anti-HBs). Presence of anti-HBc indicated past HBV infection; presence of anti-HBs alone indicated past vaccination. Results: More IDUs had been infected with HBV in the past than NIDUs (37% versus 19%, P=0.001). Among male and female IDUs, injection drug use behaviors were significantly associated with past infection. For female IDUs, being African-American and trading sex were also associated with previous infection. Among NIDUs, being female and longer time since sexual debut were associated with past infection. Overall, 11% were vaccinated (10% IDU versus 14% NIDU, P=0.30). Younger age and drug treatment history were associated with vaccination. Most susceptibles (84%) experienced at least one missed opportunity for vaccination. Conclusion: Young drug users remain at high risk for HBV infection. Vaccination rates remain low despite multiple opportunities for vaccination. An integrated HBV immunization effort should be coordinated among venues frequented by young drug users.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	69-78
Number of pages	10
Journal	Drug and alcohol dependence
Volume	73
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2003.10.007
State	Published - Jan 7 2004

Keywords

Hepatitis B
Immunology
Injection drug user
Prevention

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Toxicology
Pharmacology
Psychiatry and Mental health
Pharmacology (medical)

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10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2003.10.007

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@article{10a0d09c2dfc4abbae394a14f0620f0a,

title = "Hepatitis B virus infection and vaccination among young injection and non-injection drug users: Missed opportunities to prevent infection",

abstract = "Introduction: We examined correlates of HBV infection and vaccination and the missed vaccination opportunities among young injection drug users (IDUs) and non-injection drug users (NIDUs). Methods: Two hundred IDUs and 124 NIDUs aged 15-30 years were studied. Demographics, drug use and sexual behaviors, and health and incarceration history data were collected. Serology was conducted for antibodies to HBV-core antigen (anti-HBc) and HBV-surface antigen (anti-HBs). Presence of anti-HBc indicated past HBV infection; presence of anti-HBs alone indicated past vaccination. Results: More IDUs had been infected with HBV in the past than NIDUs (37% versus 19%, P=0.001). Among male and female IDUs, injection drug use behaviors were significantly associated with past infection. For female IDUs, being African-American and trading sex were also associated with previous infection. Among NIDUs, being female and longer time since sexual debut were associated with past infection. Overall, 11% were vaccinated (10% IDU versus 14% NIDU, P=0.30). Younger age and drug treatment history were associated with vaccination. Most susceptibles (84%) experienced at least one missed opportunity for vaccination. Conclusion: Young drug users remain at high risk for HBV infection. Vaccination rates remain low despite multiple opportunities for vaccination. An integrated HBV immunization effort should be coordinated among venues frequented by young drug users.",

keywords = "Hepatitis B, Immunology, Injection drug user, Prevention",

author = "Irene Kuo and Sherman, {Susan G.} and Thomas, {David L.} and Strathdee, {Steffanie A.}",

note = "Funding Information: Funding for this study was provided by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) grants R01-DA11880 and F31-DA15291. The authors would like to acknowledge the following individuals for their contributions to the manuscript: Richard Garfein for design input in the earlier stages of the study; Daniel Mudrick and Anita Loughlin for administrative support; Ellen Taylor for serological testing; Shruti Mehta for statistical assistance; and Crystal Fuller, Danielle Ompad and Eddie Poole for their contributions to the parent study in which this sub-study was conducted. The authors also express much gratitude to the REACH III study staff and participants. ",

year = "2004",

month = jan,

day = "7",

doi = "10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2003.10.007",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "73",

pages = "69--78",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Hepatitis B virus infection and vaccination among young injection and non-injection drug users

T2 - Missed opportunities to prevent infection

AU - Kuo, Irene

AU - Sherman, Susan G.

AU - Thomas, David L.

AU - Strathdee, Steffanie A.

N1 - Funding Information: Funding for this study was provided by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) grants R01-DA11880 and F31-DA15291. The authors would like to acknowledge the following individuals for their contributions to the manuscript: Richard Garfein for design input in the earlier stages of the study; Daniel Mudrick and Anita Loughlin for administrative support; Ellen Taylor for serological testing; Shruti Mehta for statistical assistance; and Crystal Fuller, Danielle Ompad and Eddie Poole for their contributions to the parent study in which this sub-study was conducted. The authors also express much gratitude to the REACH III study staff and participants.

PY - 2004/1/7

Y1 - 2004/1/7

N2 - Introduction: We examined correlates of HBV infection and vaccination and the missed vaccination opportunities among young injection drug users (IDUs) and non-injection drug users (NIDUs). Methods: Two hundred IDUs and 124 NIDUs aged 15-30 years were studied. Demographics, drug use and sexual behaviors, and health and incarceration history data were collected. Serology was conducted for antibodies to HBV-core antigen (anti-HBc) and HBV-surface antigen (anti-HBs). Presence of anti-HBc indicated past HBV infection; presence of anti-HBs alone indicated past vaccination. Results: More IDUs had been infected with HBV in the past than NIDUs (37% versus 19%, P=0.001). Among male and female IDUs, injection drug use behaviors were significantly associated with past infection. For female IDUs, being African-American and trading sex were also associated with previous infection. Among NIDUs, being female and longer time since sexual debut were associated with past infection. Overall, 11% were vaccinated (10% IDU versus 14% NIDU, P=0.30). Younger age and drug treatment history were associated with vaccination. Most susceptibles (84%) experienced at least one missed opportunity for vaccination. Conclusion: Young drug users remain at high risk for HBV infection. Vaccination rates remain low despite multiple opportunities for vaccination. An integrated HBV immunization effort should be coordinated among venues frequented by young drug users.

AB - Introduction: We examined correlates of HBV infection and vaccination and the missed vaccination opportunities among young injection drug users (IDUs) and non-injection drug users (NIDUs). Methods: Two hundred IDUs and 124 NIDUs aged 15-30 years were studied. Demographics, drug use and sexual behaviors, and health and incarceration history data were collected. Serology was conducted for antibodies to HBV-core antigen (anti-HBc) and HBV-surface antigen (anti-HBs). Presence of anti-HBc indicated past HBV infection; presence of anti-HBs alone indicated past vaccination. Results: More IDUs had been infected with HBV in the past than NIDUs (37% versus 19%, P=0.001). Among male and female IDUs, injection drug use behaviors were significantly associated with past infection. For female IDUs, being African-American and trading sex were also associated with previous infection. Among NIDUs, being female and longer time since sexual debut were associated with past infection. Overall, 11% were vaccinated (10% IDU versus 14% NIDU, P=0.30). Younger age and drug treatment history were associated with vaccination. Most susceptibles (84%) experienced at least one missed opportunity for vaccination. Conclusion: Young drug users remain at high risk for HBV infection. Vaccination rates remain low despite multiple opportunities for vaccination. An integrated HBV immunization effort should be coordinated among venues frequented by young drug users.

KW - Hepatitis B

KW - Immunology

KW - Injection drug user

KW - Prevention

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DO - 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2003.10.007

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AN - SCOPUS:0345735386

SN - 0376-8716

VL - 73

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JO - Drug and alcohol dependence

JF - Drug and alcohol dependence

IS - 1

ER -

Hepatitis B virus infection and vaccination among young injection and non-injection drug users: Missed opportunities to prevent infection

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Keywords

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