Does information about IDUs' injecting networks predict exposure to the hepatitis C virus?

Abstract

Background and Aims: Many previous studies have used cross-sectional approaches to measure associations between injecting drug users' (IDUs') characteristics and hepatitis C virus (HCV) status, and identified independent predictors of antibody to HCV (anti-HCV) positivity including duration of injecting, needle-sharing history and prior imprisonment. Although HCV transmission between IDUs occurs primarily through blood transfer during close physical interactions, the contribution of social network data to prediction of HCV status has not been previously assessed. Methods: 215 injecting drug users and their injecting network members were recruited in Melbourne, Australia between July 2005 and..