Oct 9, 2015 - Robert Holzman, MD, FIDSA, FSHEA3; Ross Macdonald, MD2; 1Infectious Diseases,. New York University, New York, New York; 2New York ...
1036. Gender, Ethnicity, Intravenous Drug Use, and Risk for Hepatitis C Among New York City Jail Inmates Matthew Akiyama, MD, MSc1; Fatos Kaba, MA2; Zachary Rosner, MD2; Robert Holzman, MD, FIDSA, FSHEA3; Ross Macdonald, MD2; 1Infectious Diseases, New York University, New York, New York; 2New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Bureau of Correctional Health Services, Queens, New York; 3 NYU Medical Center, New York, New York Session: 143. Hepatitis Viruses Friday, October 9, 2015: 12:30 PM Background. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the leading cause cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma in the United States. Intravenous drug use (IDU) is a major risk factor. HCV in prison populations has reached alarming proportions estimated nationally to be approximately 17.4% due in part to the strong interrelationship between IDU and incarceration. Less data on prevalence is available for jails. The New York City jail system admits 70,000 annually with an average daily census of 12,000. In June 2013, screening of those born from 1945 to 1965 (the “birth cohort”) was added to a program of targeted screening. Methods. We reviewed all inmates having HCV antibody (HCVAb) tests obtained at jail intake between 13 June 2013 (the date birth cohort screening was initiated) and 13 June 2014. Factors examined included gender, ethnicity, and birth cohort membership. Proportions were compared using the χ2 tests. Results. There were 10,790 inmates with complete intake data in this time period who had positive or negative HCVAb tests – 2221 (20.6%) were positive. A history of IDU was reported by 18.2% of the sample of whom 67.6% were HCVAb positive. Significantly more females reported IDU than males (21% versus 16%, p < 0.001) and were HCVAb positive (24% versus 20%, p < 0.001). Stratified by birth cohort, this relationship was maintained among all age groups (figure 1). Significant differences were also observed between ethnicities. Overall, non-Hispanic (NH) Whites had the highest prevalence of both IDU and HCV and NH Blacks had the lowest ( p < 0.001) ( figure 2). Stratified by birth cohort, IDU was more frequent in the older NH black population and younger NH White population conferring the same pattern of HCV risk.
Conclusion. These data reveal gender and ethnically based differences in the distribution of IDU and HCV infection in a large urban jail system. While a majority of those with HCV in the United States are born between 1945 and 1965, HCV infection is not rare among younger inmates. Our data suggest that broader screening followed by a focused public health intervention is required in order treat existing infections and prevent future disease. Disclosures. All authors: No reported disclosures.
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OFID 2015:2 (Suppl 1)
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Poster Abstracts
