Hepatitis C virus infection in Chicago women with or at risk for HIV infection - Evidence for sexual transmission

Background and Objectives: The importance of sexual transmission of hepatit is C virus (HCV) infection is unclear, We attempted to define its role in w omen with or at risk for HN infection. Goal of this Study: To ascertain if high-risk sexual behavior was independe ntly associated with HCV infection. Study Design: Risk factors were assessed cross-sectionally in Chicago women newly enrolled in the Women's Interagency HIV Study, Women who had (n = 24 3) or were at risk for HIV infection (n = 53) were tested for HCV antibodie s (Ab), Results: Of 296 women, 123 (42%) were HCV Ab positive; prevalence was 90% i n women who injected drugs (IDU) compared with 12% in noninjectors (odds ra tio [OR], 64.0, 95% confidence interval [CI], 29.9 to 137.0). A multivariat e model showed associations with IDU (OR, 110.3, 95% CI, 33.3 to 365.8), pr ior gonorrhea (OR, 3.6, 95% CI, 1.4 to 8.9), and sex with a male IDU (OR, 2 .7, 95% CI, 1.1 to 7.0). Conclusion: Injection drug use is the strongest predictor of HCV infection, but sexual risk factors are also independently associated.