Theme: Epidemiology & Public Health Research Year: 2018
Background:
South Africa’s absent hepatitis C virus (HCV) response for people who inject drugs (PWID) is
largely due to the epidemiological data gap. Needle/syringe services have operated in Cape
Town, Durban and Pretoria since 2015. We investigated the HCV serological and viraemic
(RNA positive) prevalence and risks among PWID who access needle/syringe services in
these cities.
Methods:
We recruited 941 PWID between August 2016 and October 2017 in our cross-sectional study.
We administered an assessment enquiring about demographics, substance use and risk
practices. We performed HCV point-of-care (OraQuick®) and HCV viral load (COBAS®
AmpliPrep/ COBAS TaqMan® HCV test) testing. We calculated proportions, frequencies and
bivariate associations with HCV viraemia.
Results:
Participants were mostly male (87%), black (42%), homeless (68%) and had a median age of
30. All PWID had injected in the last month and half injected 4 – 6 times daily. At last injecting,
98% injected heroin, 80% used a new needle/syringe and 18% had shared their
needle/syringe. In the last month 44% were sexually active and 57% had used a condom
during their last sexual encounter. Most participants (73%) had previously accessed harm
reduction services. HCV sero-prevalence was 55% (515/941)(Pretoria (84%), Cape Town
(44%), Durban (35%)). HCV viraemic prevalence was 45% (403/892)(73%, 34% and 29% in
the respective cities). Male sex (odds ratio (OR) 1.6 p=0.019), homelessness (OR 1.6,
p<0.001), black race (OR 1.6, p=0.001), living in Pretoria (OR 1.2, p < 0.001), previous health
screening (OR 1.4, p=0.018), new needle/syringe at last injection (OR 0.5, p<0.001) and
recent sexual activity (OR 0.4, p<0.001) were associated with HCV viraemia.
Conclusion:
HCV prevalence among PWID is high in these cities. Some HCV infections may have
preceded needle/syringe services. Prevention interventions should expand and treatment
interventions should address the needs of PWID who are male, black and homeless and PWID
in Pretoria should be prioritised.
Disclosure of Interest Statement:
This study was funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation (BMSF). Dr Scheibe is a faculty
member of BMSF technical assistance programme