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Alcohol misuse and illicit drug use are associated with HCV/HIV co-infection

D Simon1, R T Michita1, J U Béria2

  • 1Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular Aplicada à Saúde,Universidade Luterana do Brasil (ULBRA),Canoas, RS,Brazil.

Epidemiology and Infection
|February 12, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects 24% of HIV-positive patients in Brazil. Key risk factors include alcohol misuse, drug use, and low education, highlighting the need for targeted prevention strategies in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) co-infection is a significant global health concern.
  • Understanding the prevalence and risk factors of HCV in HIV-positive populations is crucial for effective management and prevention strategies.
  • Brazil faces a considerable burden of both HIV and HCV, necessitating localized epidemiological studies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among HIV-positive patients in southern Brazil.
  • To identify specific socio-demographic and behavioral risk factors associated with HCV infection in this co-infected population.
  • To contribute to the understanding of HIV/HCV co-infection epidemiology within the Brazilian context.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 580 HIV-positive patients from a specialized treatment center in southern Brazil.
  • Data collection through interviews covering socio-demographic information and potential risk factors for HCV.
  • Laboratory testing for HCV antibodies and HCV-RNA detection, followed by multivariate analysis to identify significant risk factors.

Main Results:

  • A total of 138 patients (24%) exhibited evidence of past or chronic hepatitis C infection.
  • Significant risk factors for HCV infection differed by gender: alcohol misuse and injecting drug use in women (P < 0.001).
  • In men, low educational level, smoking drug use, and injecting drug use were significantly associated with HCV infection (P < 0.01).

Conclusions:

  • Alcohol misuse, low educational level, smoking drug use, and injecting drug use are identified as probable risk factors for HCV infection in HIV-positive individuals.
  • These findings underscore the importance of addressing substance use and educational disparities in preventing HCV transmission within the HIV-positive population.
  • The study provides valuable epidemiological insights into HIV/HCV co-infection in Brazil, informing public health interventions.

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