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HIV and HCV Infection among Minority Drug Injectors
Author(s) -
Estrada Antonio Luciano
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a149-a
Subject(s) - psychosocial , medicine , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , population , transmission (telecommunications) , ethnic group , public health , intervention (counseling) , drug , environmental health , immunology , psychiatry , political science , pathology , law , electrical engineering , engineering
HIV and HCV transmission among racial/ethnic minorities continues to be a major public health concern. Injection drug users (IDUs) are at increased risk for acquiring and transmitting HIV and HCV to others, potentially increasing the reservoir of infection in minority communities. HIV and HCV co‐infection is the norm rather than the exception among IDUs, with estimates of co‐infection ranging from 50–90%. Considering the fact that HIV positive IDUs continue to engage in risk behaviors conducive to the transmission of these viruses it is necessary to take a comprehensive approach to the identification, prevention, and treatment of dually infected IDUs. Prevention, intervention and treatment remain formidable obstacles for this marginalized population due to a number of institutional, financial, and personal barriers. Psychosocial concerns related to disclosure are also prominent among dually infected IDUs. In terms of identifying efficacious treatment modalities, clinical trials should attempt to include minority IDUs as well.