Description
Hepatitis C is the most common bloodborne infection in the United States, with the primary mode of transmission being from injection drug use. Hepatitis C can also be transmitted sexually, but whether this is an efficient means for transmission is unclear. Although Hepatitis C transmission has been shown to be very low in low-risk, heterosexual, long-term, monogamous relationships, higher prevalences have been found among groups likely to be engaging in high-risk sexual behavior, such as men who have sex with men, sex workers, and patients of STI clinics. As drug users and incarcerated populations have high Hepatitis C prevalences compared to the general population, and have reported high rates of risky sexual behaviors, it would be possible for sexual transmission of Hepatitis C to occur within these vulnerable populations. This study uses cross-sectional data from the HIV/HEPC study conducted as part of the National Institute for Drug Abuse's Criminal Justice Drug Abuse Treatment Studies to assess the relationship between engaging in risky sexual behaviors and Hepatitis C. Data from 614 participants recently released from incarceration were analyzed. Risky sexual behavior was defined as the number of sexual partners and engaging in unprotected sex with a casual partner, injection drug user, or while self or partner exchanged sex for money, drugs, or gifts, within the six months before incarceration. Hepatitis C status was determined using an ELISA antibody assay. Other independent variables included were history of sexually transmitted infections, history of injection drug use, ever having a tattoo, ever having a blood transfusion, total years incarcerated, age, race, and sex. This study did not find a significant association between risky sexual behaviors and Hepatitis C test result after adjusting for other variables; however, its findings suggest that more research should be done to assess this relationship within different groups, in the context of different drugs, and within correctional facilities themselves.
