Review and meta-analysis of the association between self-reported sharing of needles/syringes and hepatitis C virus prevalence and incidence among people who inject drugs in Europe

Palmateer, N.E., Hutchinson, S.A., Innes, H., Schnier, C., Wu, O. , Goldberg, D.J. and Hickman, M. (2013) Review and meta-analysis of the association between self-reported sharing of needles/syringes and hepatitis C virus prevalence and incidence among people who inject drugs in Europe. International Journal of Drug Policy, 24(2), pp. 85-100. (doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2012.08.006)

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Abstract

<p>Background: Although sharing needles/syringes (N/S) is a recognised risk factor for the hepatitis C virus (HCV), epidemiological studies have shown inconsistent associations between self-reported N/S sharing and biological markers of HCV infection. This review aims to summarise, and explore factors that may explain the variation in, the measure of association between self-reported sharing of N/S and HCV prevalence/incidence among people who inject drugs (PWID).</p> <p>Methods: Studies undertaken in Europe during 1990–2011 were identified through an electronic literature search. Eligible studies reported HCV prevalence (or incidence) among those who reported ever/never (or recent/non-recent) sharing of N/S. Meta-analysis was undertaken to generate a pooled estimate of the association and heterogeneity was explored using stratified analyses.</p> <p>Results: Sixteen cross-sectional studies and four longitudinal studies were included. Pooled prevalence and incidence of HCV was 59% and 11% among PWID who reported never and not recently sharing N/S, respectively. Random effects meta-analysis generated a pooled odds ratio (OR) of 3.3 (95% CI 2.4–4.6), comparing HCV infection among those who ever (or recently) shared N/S relative to those who reported never (or not recently) sharing. There was substantial heterogeneity between the study effect sizes (I2 = 72.8%). Differences in pooled ORs were found when studies were stratified by recruitment setting (prison vs. drug treatment sites), recruitment method (outreach vs. non-outreach), sample HCV prevalence and sample mean/median time since onset of injecting.</p> <p>Conclusion: We found high incidence/prevalence rates among those who did not report sharing N/S during the risk period, which may be due to a combination of unmeasured risk factors and reporting bias. Study design and population are likely to be important modifiers of the size and strength of association between HCV and N/S sharing.</p>

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Wu, Professor Olivia
Authors: Palmateer, N.E., Hutchinson, S.A., Innes, H., Schnier, C., Wu, O., Goldberg, D.J., and Hickman, M.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment
Journal Name:International Journal of Drug Policy
Publisher:Elsevier BV
ISSN:0955-3959

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