Correlates of hepatitis C testing among heroin injectors in Sydney.

ISSUE ADDRESSED

Hepatitis C infection is a significant public health problem with most cases occurring among injecting drug users (IDUs). Little is known about the uptake of testing. The study examined correlates of hepatitis C testing among heroin users.

METHOD

Current heroin users, recruited through needle and syringe programs, methadone clinics and via snowballing, were interviewed about hepatitis C testing.

RESULTS

Four hundred heroin users were interviewed and most (91%) reported having been tested for hepatitis C. Females and those with a history of incarceration or drug treatment were more likely to have been tested, but those who had been using for two years or less were not.

CONCLUSIONS

Hepatitis C testing is common among heroin users. Groups most at risk of infection are being tested.