Theme: Epidemiology & Public Health Research Year: 2018
Background: It’s important to investigate among hard-to-reach drug users to better estimate real HCV prevalence and to improve treatment and health services access. Villa Maraini Foundation in partnership with the Infectious Diseases Clinic of Tor Vergata University built a care cascade for this key population. Methods: Drug users belonging to the Methadone Maintenance Treatment Ambulatory and Needle Sharing Program Street Unit of Villa Maraini were tested using OraQuick HCV rapid test from July 2015 to November 2017. Users made a questionnaire to assess sex and drug-related risk behaviours. In case of positive tests, subjects received support and were take in charge by the Infectious Diseases Clinic. Chi-square test, univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used for statistical analysis to examine factors associated with HCV serostatus. Results: n. 673 people who use drugs enrolled by Villa Maraini performed HCV rapid test. The overall seroprevalence of HCV antibody was 31.5% – 212/673 – 74.5% male, median age 37 (IQR 30-45). Backward multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that factors associated with HCV antibody positivity included age>35 (OR, 3 95%C.I.[1.78-5.8]; p
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