Researchers agree that while hepatitis B maybe in control, hepatitis C (HCV) is present in epidemic proportions among injecting drug users and that current HIV prevention strategies have not been sufficient to halt the spread of this hepatitis virus although there is some evidence to suggest that incidence rates are stabilising. Since there is no effective cure and it is unlikely that a vaccine will become available in the foreseeable future all efforts to control the spread of HCV must rely on education and prevention strategies.
The Australian Study of HIV and Injecting Drug Use is a cross-sectional national study designed to investigate exposure to and risks for infection with blood borne viruses. Of those volunteering a usable blood sample for HCV antibody and HBV core antibody testing, 55% and 19% respectively, returned reactive test results. Logistic regression statistical models were used to identify risk factors for HCV and HBV. Risk factors for HCV were identified as duration of use, use of opiates or amphetamines as last drug injected, education level, treatment status and having a history of sexually transmissible diseases. Risk factors associated with HBV were duration of use and use of opiates on last injecting occasion. The lack of identifiable risk factors for HBV suggest that past rather than current injecting and sexual behaviour patterns are required to accurately predict risk of exposure to HBV. A substantial proportion of respondents reported being vaccinated for HBV. Respondents perceived themselves to be at greater risk form HCV than from HBV or HIV. A discussion of strategies needed to prevent the spread of the hepatitis viruses will be presented along with recommendations for further research.