HCV status knowledge and risk behaviours amongst intravenous drug users

The aim of this study was to identify relationships between injecting and s exual risk behaviours and hepatitis C virus (HCV) status knowledge in intra venous drug users (IDUs). It was a cross-sectional survey (March 1994-June 1995) in 10 drug abuse treatment or psychosocial centres in Paris, France. We used a structured questionnaire about sexual, injecting, HIV and HCV ant ibody testing practices and results during the previous 6months. Six hundre d and twelve sexually active IDUs aged 18 or older who were current injecti ng drug users were interviewed. Of 592 respondent IDUs, 37% did not report consistent HCV testing and 34% reported being HCV-positive. HCV-positive ID Us were older than HCV-negatives and HCV-unknowns. HCV-unknowns and HCV-pos itives had a lower educational level than HCV-negatives. After adjusting fo r demographic characteristics and HIV status, the factors associated with b eing HCV-unknown were not using condoms (OR: 2.9; 95% CI: 1.9-4.6) as well as clean equipment (OR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.2-3.0). Not using new equipment was negatively associated with being HCV-unknown (OR: 0.4; 95% CI: 0.2-0.6) and with being HCV-positive (OR: 0.5; 95% CI: 0.3-0.8). Our study suggests tha t particular sexual and injecting risk-behaviours are associated with not k nowing HCV status. As HCV-unknown IDUs are likely to be at the risk of tran smitting HCV or acquiring other infections. HCV testing should be encourage d and associated with sexual counselling. Special attention should be paid to disinfecting practices for HCV-positives and use of new injecting equipm ent should be recommended for HCV-negatives.