Úvod: Injekční užívání drog je spojeno se závažnou zdravotní zátěží, a to zejména díky vysokému riziku krví přenosných infekcí, jako jsou virová hepatitida typu C (VHC) nebo infekce virem lidské imunodeficience (HIV). Mezi doporučované intervence v prevenci a kontrole infekcí spojených s užíváním drog patří služby aplikačních místností (AM). AM je odborná adiktologická služba, kde si mohou lidé užívající drogy (PWUDs) aplikovat přinesenou drogu za bezpečnějších a hygienicky nezávadných podmínek. První AM v ČR byla otevřena v Brně v září 2023 v mobilní formě (MAM) v sociálně vyloučené lokalitě (SVL) s vysokým výskytem injekčního užívání heroinu a jiných opioidů, zejména v místní romské komunitě. Její spuštění provázel výzkum zaměřený na analýzu potřeb a nastavení služby. Tato práce představuje analýzu části kvantitativních dat zaměřenou na rizikové chování a další charakteristiky u potenciálních klientů programu. Materiál a metodika: Dvě dotazníkové průřezové studie (n = 131 a n = 135) provedené těsně před spuštěním a po spuštění MAM na souborech PWUDs zařazených do studie namátkovým výběrem prostřednictvím spolupracujících služeb a peer pracovníků v Brně. Analýza byla zaměřena na charakteristiky klientů v SVL, kde MAM působí. Párové souvislosti mezi příslušností k SVL a dalšími proměnnými byly analyzovány pomocí chí-kvadrát testu a t-testu. U statisticky významných prediktorů z párové analýzy byla provedena logistická regresní analýza s adjustací na pohlaví a věk. Výsledky jsou prezentovány jako adjusted odds ratio (AOR). Výsledky: V obou souborech tvořili 2/3 muži, průměrný věk byl kolem 37 let (36,5 let v prvním a 37,5 let ve druhém souboru), většinu tvořili lidé užívající drogy injekčně s poměrně častým výskytem rizikového chování. Ve druhém souboru bylo více osob, které se považují za Romy (50,7 % vs. 20,3 %), a více osob, jejichž primární drogou jsou opioidy (39,7 % vs. 27,5 %). Mezi respondenty žijícími v SVL bylo v prvním souboru statisticky významně častější užívání heroinu (AOR = 8,2) a opioidů (4,7) v posledním roce, aplikace drog ve vnitřním veřejném prostoru v posledních 30 dnech (3,6), častěji byli svědky předávkování (2,5) a byli odvezeni zdravotnickou záchrannou službou (2,6) v posledních 12 měsících. Respondenti ze SVL byli častěji klienty adiktologických služeb v posledním roce (2,8), především opiátové substituční léčby (4,6), ale vykazovali statisticky významně více bariér pro vstup do léčby. V souboru po spuštění MAM se potvrdila vyšší míra užívání opioidů (2,9) a nižší míra užívání pervitinu (0,3) a ukázal se vyšší výskyt VHC diagnostikované někdy v životě (3,0) mezi klienty ze SVL. V souboru před otevřením MAM měli klienti ze SVL menší povědomí o aplikačních místnostech obecně (0,4), ale v souboru po zahájení MAM uváděli větší ochotu ji využít (2,7). Závěr: Spuštění MAM v Brně bylo odůvodněné, neboť výskyt injekčního užívání drog včetně aplikace ve veřejném prostoru a výskyt dopadů s ním spojených je značný. Umístění MAM je vhodné, neboť PWUDs v SVL, kde působí, vykazují vyšší míru rizikového chování a zranitelnosti. Současně vykazují vyšší ochotu službu MAM využít. Nastavení a dopady MAM v Brně na zdravotní a sociální situaci mezi klienty a na komunitu je vhodné dále sledovat.
Background: Injecting drug use is associated with a high disease burden, particularly due to the high risk of blood-borne infections such as viral hepatitis C (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Interventions recommended for the prevention and control of infections associated with drug use include so-called drug consumption rooms (DCRs). A DCR is a professional addiction service where people who use drugs (PWUD) can consume the drug they bring under safer and hygienic conditions. In September 2023, the first DCR in the Czech Republic was opened in Brno as a mobile setting (MDCR) in a socially excluded location (SEL) with a high prevalence of heroin and other opioids injecting, especially in the local Roma community. Its launch involved mixed methods research aimed at needs analysis and service set-up. This paper presents an analysis of quantitative data focusing on risk behaviours and other characteristics of potential clients of the programme. Material and methods: Two cross-sectional questionnaire surveys (n=131 and n=135) were conducted just before and after the launch of the programme among PWUD recruited through convenience sampling by collaborating services and peer workers in Brno. The analysis addressed the characteristics of clients in the SEL where the MDCR operates. Pairwise associations between the SEL affiliation and other variables were analysed using the chi-square test and t-test. For statistically significant predictors from the pairwise analysis, logistic regression analysis was performed, with adjustment for gender and age. Results are presented as adjusted odds ratios (AOR). Results: In both surveys, two thirds were male, mean age around 37 years (36.5 years in survey 1 and 37.5 years in survey 2). Most of them were people who injected drugs with a relatively high rate of risk behaviours. In survey 2, more people self-reported Roma ethnicity (50.7% versus 20.3%) and opioids as their primary drug (39.7% versus 27.5%). Respondents from survey 1 living in the SEL were more likely to have used heroin (AOR=8.2) and opioids (4.7) in the past year, to have injected drugs in an indoor public space in the past 30 days (3.6), to have witnessed an overdose (2.5), and to have been taken by emergency services (2.6) in the past 12 months. SEL respondents were more likely to have been clients of addiction services in the past year (2.8), especially opioid agonist treatment (4.6), but on the other hand, showed significantly more barriers to treatment. The survey after the MDCR launch confirmed higher rates of opioid use (2.9) and lower rates of methamphetamine use (0.3) and showed a higher prevalence of ever-diagnosed HCV (3.0) among SEL respondents. Prior to the opening of the MDCR, SEL respondents were in general less aware of the DCR (0.4) but reported greater willingness to use it after its launch (2.7). Conclusion: The launch of the mobile DCR in Brno was justified due to the high prevalence of injecting drug use and the presence of associated risks, including injecting in public. The location of the DCR is appropriate as PWUDs in the SEL where it operates exhibit higher levels of risk behaviour and vulnerability. At the same time, they show a higher willingness to use the DCR. The set-up of DCR in Brno and its impacts on the health and social situation of clients and the community should be further monitored.
AIMS: We measured the association between a history of incarceration and HIV positivity among people who inject drugs (PWID) across Europe. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: This was a cross-sectional, multi-site, multi-year propensity-score matched analysis conducted in Europe. Participants comprised community-recruited PWID who reported a recent injection (within the last 12 months). MEASUREMENTS: Data on incarceration history, demographics, substance use, sexual behavior and harm reduction service use originated from cross-sectional studies among PWID in Europe. Our primary outcome was HIV status. Generalized linear mixed models and propensity-score matching were used to compare HIV status between ever- and never-incarcerated PWID. FINDINGS: Among 43 807 PWID from 82 studies surveyed (in 22 sites and 13 countries), 58.7% reported having ever been in prison and 7.16% (n = 3099) tested HIV-positive. Incarceration was associated with 30% higher odds of HIV infection [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.32, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.09-1.59]; the association between a history of incarceration and HIV infection was strongest among PWID, with the lowest estimated propensity-score for having a history of incarceration (aOR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.47-2.16). Additionally, mainly injecting cocaine and/or opioids (aOR = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.33-3.53), increased duration of injecting drugs (per 8 years aOR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.16-1.48), ever sharing needles/syringes (aOR = 1.91, 95% CI = 1.59-2.28) and increased income inequality among the general population (measured by the Gini index, aOR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.18-1.51) were associated with a higher odds of HIV infection. Older age (per 8 years aOR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.76-0.94), male sex (aOR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.65-0.91) and reporting pharmacies as the main source of clean syringes (aOR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.59-0.88) were associated with lower odds of HIV positivity. CONCLUSIONS: A history of incarceration appears to be independently associated with HIV infection among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Europe, with a stronger effect among PWID with lower probability of incarceration.
- MeSH
- HIV infekce * epidemiologie MeSH
- HIV séropozitivita * MeSH
- intravenózní abúzus drog * epidemiologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- průřezové studie MeSH
- tendenční skóre MeSH
- uživatelé drog * MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Evropa MeSH
The global effort to eliminate HCV infection requires new approaches to accessing and testing the affected population in a setting with as low of a threshold as possible. The focus should be on socially marginalized people who inject drugs (PWIDs) and who are not willing or able to visit standard medical services. With this vision, we established an outreach service-a testing point in an ambulance in the park in front of the Main Railway Station of the capital city of Prague-to provide bloodborne disease testing and treatment. The service was available every week on Wednesday afternoon. Over the initial two years of our experience, 168 unique people were tested. Of them, 82 (49%) were diagnosed with chronic HCV infection and were eligible for treatment with antivirals. Of these, 24 (29%) initiated antiviral treatment over the study period, and 17 (71%) of these individuals achieved a documented sustained virological response. Offering medical services in PWIDs' neighborhoods helps overcome barriers and increase the chances that they will become patients and begin HCV treatment. The described outcomes appear promising for reaching the vision of linkage to the care of such a hard-to-reach population and can serve as a feasible model of care for further expansion.
- MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- hepatitida C - protilátky izolace a purifikace krev MeSH
- hepatitida C * farmakoterapie krev přenos MeSH
- intravenózní abúzus drog komplikace MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- screeningové krevní testy v těhotenství metody MeSH
- těhotenství MeSH
- vertikální přenos infekce prevence a kontrola MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- těhotenství MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- kazuistiky MeSH
- novinové články MeSH
OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study is to analyse drug-related infectious diseases (DRID) rates for people who inject drugs (PWID) in the Pilsen Region in order to identify the main determiners of infection risk and also to provide a foundation for comparison between this region and the others in the Czech Republic. METHODS: In a descriptive cross-sectional study, we analysed the Pilsen Region's data on PWID. The data was transcribed from the 2003 to 2018 internal database of the Ulice Outreach Programme. In addition to the data regarding the testing of DRID, we analysed commercial sex work (CSW) and the PWID's duration of drug use, age and current address. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, primarily employing logistic regression (i.e., backward elimination method) to explore predictors of seropositivity. Moreover, we calculated its prevalence from an epidemiological perspective. RESULTS: In total, 384 PWID were tested, from which 54.7% were males, and 84.1% were from Pilsen. The average age for initiation of using drug was 19.37 years. The most used drug was methamphetamine (64.8%), 77 women (20.1%) were reported to be CSW. The prevalence of DRID was as follows: hepatitis C virus (HCV) 37.24%, syphilis 1.82%, hepatitis B virus (HBV) 0.78%, and HIV infection 0.26%. The analysis showed that men had a lower risk of syphilis than women. Individuals who started their drug use via injection had a 1.365-times higher risk of DRID in comparison to those who initiated intravenous drug use later in their drug-using lives. We identified a significant association between the drug type and the risk of HCV infection: the main predictor of seropositivity was the use of fentanyl, which posed a 1.930-times higher risk than in the case of methamphetamine. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first descriptive cross-sectional study implemented in the Pilsen Region in the Czech Republic with a focus on the subpopulation of PWID with individual data. A high prevalence of HCV infection still persists but the prevalence of HBV and HIV infections in this study (and generally in the Czech Republic) is relatively low compared to foreign studies. Syphilis is not closely associated with injecting-drug use, but rather with the sexual behaviour of the people who use drugs intravenously. The most important predictor of seropositivity for syphilis was CSW. We also found the duration of being a CSW to be significant influence. The women who had been CSWs for less than 5 years had a significantly lower risk of syphilis than those who had prostituted for more than 5 years.
- MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- Hepacivirus MeSH
- hepatitida C * epidemiologie MeSH
- HIV infekce * epidemiologie MeSH
- intravenózní abúzus drog * epidemiologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- methamfetamin * MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- prevalence MeSH
- prostituce MeSH
- průřezové studie MeSH
- riskování MeSH
- syfilis * epidemiologie MeSH
- uživatelé drog * MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
The elimination of HCV (hepatitis C virus) infection is, according to WHO (World Health Organization), of international interest. With new diagnostic tools and treatment possibilities, one major challenge for the elimination is to involve infected patients, especially those from socially excluded subpopulations, into HCV infection-treatment programs. The key question is how to help people who inject drugs (PWID) to engage in HCV infection-treatment programs and improve communication between PWID and hepatologists or other medical professionals involved in the treatment of chronic HCV infection. Furthermore, the medical professionals have to accept the changing spectrum of patients with chronic viral hepatitis. Without close interdisciplinary cooperation, it would be extremely difficult to achieve the WHO goal of global viral hepatitis C elimination. Here, we try to encourage our colleagues as well as addictologists and social workers to play their crucial part in the viral hepatitis C eradication process. It is extremely important for the healthcare providers to be able to communicate with addicted clients, inform PWID about the latest developments in the diagnosis and HCV infection treatment, and get them motivated to engage with specialized treatment programs.
- MeSH
- antivirové látky terapeutické užití MeSH
- Hepacivirus MeSH
- hepatitida C * diagnóza epidemiologie prevence a kontrola MeSH
- intravenózní abúzus drog * komplikace farmakoterapie epidemiologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- Světová zdravotnická organizace MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In Lithuania, injecting heroin and other illicit opioids has dominated high-risk drug use since about 2000. More recently, patients have reported a high-risk use of amphetamines. Newly diagnosed HIV cases among people who inject drugs peaked in 2002 and 2009 and drug-related deaths have been on the increase. Yet research has reported a limited number of available harm-reduction programs. This study aimed to estimate the size of high-risk drug using populations in Lithuania and to apply these estimates in assessing the coverage of opioid substitution treatment (OST) and needle and syringe programs (NSP). METHODS: We used indirect prevalence estimation methods (HIV and Mortality Multiplier, Capture-Recapture, Truncated Poisson and the Multivariate Indicator Method) to obtain annual prevalence estimates of the population of high-risk opioid users (HROU) and of people who inject drugs (PWID) in Lithuania in 2015/2016. We computed the coverage of OST (the annual percentage of HROU in these programs) and NSP (the number of provided syringes per PWID per year), using the prevalence estimates and the data from drug services. RESULTS: There were between 4854 and 12,444 HROU and between 8371 and 10,474 PWID in Lithuania in 2015/2016. In addition, we obtained a preliminary estimate of 4742-7000 high-risk amphetamine users. This constitutes around 2.5-6.5 HROU and 4.4-5.3 PWID per 1000 inhabitants aged 15-64. On average, 9.9-25.5% of HROUs were in OST and an average PWID in Lithuania obtained 19-29 syringes via NSPs during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: While the current prevalence of high-risk drug use in Lithuania is comparable to other European countries and for PWID, it is above the average; and the coverage of OST and NSP services in this population is markedly lower than in most countries of the European Union and warrants further investment.
- MeSH
- HIV infekce * farmakoterapie epidemiologie MeSH
- injekční stříkačky MeSH
- intravenózní abúzus drog * epidemiologie MeSH
- léčivé přípravky * MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- opiátová substituční terapie MeSH
- prevalence MeSH
- programy výměny jehel a stříkaček MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Litva MeSH
BACKGROUND: Intravenous drug use (IVDU) represents the major factor of HCV transmission, but the treatment uptake among people who inject drugs (PWID) remains low owing to a false presumption of low efficacy. The aim of our study was to assess treatment efficacy in PWID and factors determining adherence to therapy. METHODS: A total of 278 consecutive patients starting DAA (direct-acting antivirals) therapy were included, divided into two groups: individuals with a history of IVDU, PWID group (N = 101) and the control group (N = 177) without a history of IVDU. RESULTS: Sustained virological response 12 weeks after the end of therapy (SVR12) was achieved by 99/101 (98%) and 172/177 (98%) patients in the PWID and control group, respectively; in PWID group, two patients were lost to follow-up, and in the control group, four patients relapsed and one was lost to follow-up. PWID patients postponed appointments significantly more often, 29 (28.7%) in PWID versus 7 (4%) in the control group, p = 0.001. Thirteen of 101 (12.9%) and six of 177 (3.4%) patients in the PWID and in the control group, respectively, missed at least one visit (p < 0.01). However, postponing visits led to a lack of medication in only one PWID. In the PWID group, older age (p < 0.05; OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.00-1.20) and stable housing (p < 0.01; OR 9.70, 95% CI 2.10-56.20) were factors positively contributing to adherence. Contrarily, a stable job was a factor negatively influencing adherence (p < 0.05; OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.06-0.81). In the control group, none of the analyzed social and demographic factors had an impact on adherence to therapy. CONCLUSIONS: In PWID, treatment efficacy was excellent and was comparable with SVR of the control group. Stable housing and older age contributed to a better adherence to therapy.
- MeSH
- antivirové látky terapeutické užití MeSH
- chronická hepatitida C * komplikace farmakoterapie MeSH
- hepatitida C * farmakoterapie MeSH
- intravenózní abúzus drog * komplikace farmakoterapie MeSH
- léčivé přípravky * MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- setrvalá virologická odpověď MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
Cíl práce: Dlouhodobé sledování vzájemného efektu léčby chronické virové hepatitidy C (VHC) a individualizované adiktologické péče. Světová zdravotnická organizace (WHO) v roce 2016 zveřejnila akční plán s cílem globální eliminace VHC do roku 2030. Injekční uživatelé návykových látek (PWID) jsou skupina, které je potřeba věnovat zvýšenou pozornost a péči. Dvě dekády před vyhlášením plánu globální eliminace VHC infekce vznikl ve zdravotnickém zařízení Remedis, kde byla práce realizována, „Program komplexní péče pro pacienty s komorbiditou závislosti“. Metody: Hodnotili jsme všechny pacienty, kteří byli v metadonovém programu k 1. 3. 2020, bez ohledu na individuální délku trvání substituce, dávku substituční medikace, věk nebo pohlaví. Byla zpracována jejich epidemiologická a demografická data získaná při strukturovaném interview a laboratorní nálezy. Výsledky: Ve skupině 24 pacientů na substituční léčbě metadonem bylo před zahájením péče anti-HCV negativních celkem 12 (50 %) pacientů. U žádného z těchto 12 subjektů nedošlo během substituční léčby k nové infekci HCV (virus hepatitidy C). Dalších 12 pacientů ze sledované skupiny bylo anti-HCV pozitivních. Deset pacientů již úspěšně absolvovalo léčbu VHC, u dvou došlo k reinfekci po léčbě. Závěr: Předložená práce potvrzuje vysokou účinnost léčby VHC mezi PWID při navození vhodných podmínek. Spojení léčby HCV infekce a cílené individualizované adiktologické péče považujeme za předpoklad k dosažení kontroly nad epidemií VHC v ČR, s možným pozitivním dopadem také na další krví přenosné infekce související s rizikovým chováním.
Objectives: Long-term monitoring of the mutual effects of chronic viral hepatitis C (VHC) treatment and tailored addiction treatment. In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) published an action plan to eliminate viral hepatitis C globally by 2030. People who inject drugs (PWID) are a key population that needs increased attention and care. Two decades before the announcement of the WHO plan for the global elimination of HCV (hepatitis C virus), the Remedis Medical Facility, where the study was conducted, established a "Comprehensive Care Program for patients with substance use disorders and addictive behaviour". Methods: We evaluated all patients who were in the methadone program as of 1 March 2020, regardless of OST duration, OST dosage, age or gender. Their epidemiological and demographic data obtained during a structured clinical interview and laboratory test results were analysed. Results: Of 24 patients on methadone substitution therapy, 12 (50%) were anti-HCV negative before starting OST. None of them became newly infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) during OST. The remaining 12 of the study patients were anti-HCV positive. Ten of them have already undergone successful treatment for viral hepatitis. Two patients were re-infected with HCV. Conclusion: The presented work confirms the high efficacy of chronic VHC treatment among PWID in inducing suitable conditions. We consider combination of HCV infection treatment and targeted tailored addiction treatment as a starting point for achieving control over the HCV epidemic in the Czech Republic, with a possible positive impact on other blood-borne infections related to risky behaviour.
- MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- hepatitida C * epidemiologie farmakoterapie prevence a kontrola MeSH
- intravenózní abúzus drog MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- methadon aplikace a dávkování terapeutické užití MeSH
- opiátová substituční terapie * MeSH
- prevalence MeSH
- průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- uživatelé drog * MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
Under the WHO plan, the global elimination of the HCV pandemic is scheduled for 2030. The burden of HCV infection in developed countries is largely borne by people who inject drugs (PWID): new infections and reinfections are related to their risky behaviour. Although safe and sensitive hepatitis C diagnostic tools and directly acting antiviral medication are widely used, major challenges to disease elimination still remain in developed countries, where the WHO plan is in progress. The challenge is in the involvement and engagement of infected PWID. There is a strong need to change our uptake and treatment strategies to address all patients from the risk groups, connect them with the healthcare system and cure them with the vision to eliminate this HCV pandemic.
