Drug Abuse Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Drug Abuse, including details on psychology, rehabilitation, consequences, treatment.

HIV and HCV testing for young drug users in Rhode Island.

Pugatch D, Anderson BJ, O'Connell JV, Elson LC, Stein MD

Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island 02903, USA. dpugatch@lifespan.org

Young injection drug users (IDU) are at risk for both human immunonodeficiency virus (HIV) and Hepatitis C infections (HCV). Rates of HIV testing have been widely documented, but limited information exists regarding HCV screening rates. Among a community sample of 86 IDUs, aged 18-25 years in Rhode Island, 87.2% reported ever testing for HIV versus 51.2% for HCV (p < .001). Young injectors were under-screened for HCV compared with the far less prevalent HIV infection.

Published 20 February 2006 in J Adolesc Health, 38(3): 302-4.
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