Risk Factors and Associations for Hepatitis C Infection among Hispanic/Latino Intravenous Drug Users in Miami-Dade County, Florida

Authors

Arturo E. Rodriguez, Florida International UniversityFollow

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Major/Program

Public Health

First Advisor's Name

Jessy G. Devieux

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Richard Palmer

Third Advisor's Name

William Darrow

Fourth Advisor's Name

Luther Brewster

Keywords

Intravenous drug use, Hepatitis C, Hispanic, Latino, Public Health

Date of Defense

11-5-2012

Abstract

Hepatitis C infection (HCV) continues to disproportionately affect Hispanics/Latinos in the United States. Hispanic/Latino intravenous drug users (IDUs), because of their risky injection and sexual behaviors, are prone to HCV infection and rapid transmission of the virus to others via several routes. With a prevalence rate of approximately 75% among IDUs, it is imperative that transmission of HCV be prevented in this population. This study aims to examine the associations between demographic, injection and sexual risk factors to HCV infection in a group Hispanic/Latino IDUs in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Preliminary unadjusted results in this sample reveal that age (OR=4.592, p=0.004), weekly injection (OR=5.171, p=0.000), daily injection frequency (OR=3.856, p=0.000) and use of a dirty needle (OR=2.320, p= 0.006) were all significantly associated with HCV infection. Being born outside the U.S. was significantly negatively associated with HCV infection (OR=0.349, p=0.004). Additionally, having two or more sex partners in the past three months (OR=0.472, p=0.014) was negatively associated with HCV infection. After adjusting for all other variables, older age (AOR=7.470, p=0.006), weekly injection (AOR=3.238, p=0.007) and daily injection frequency (AOR=2.625, p=0.010) were all significantly associated with HCV infection. Being born outside the U.S. (AOR=0.369, p=0.019) was a significant protective factor for HCV infection, along with having two or more sex partners in the past three months (AOR=0.481, p=0.037). When analyzing the significant variables in a backward regression model, having 2 or more sex partners in the past three months was not significant at the p

Identifier

FI12112803

Recommended Citation

Rodriguez, Arturo E., "Risk Factors and Associations for Hepatitis C Infection among Hispanic/Latino Intravenous Drug Users in Miami-Dade County, Florida" (2012). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 747.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/747