HIV and HCV testing for young drug users in Rhode Island

Abstract

Young injection drug users (IDU) are at risk for both human immunonodeficiency virus (HIV) and Hepatitis C infections (HCV). Rates of HIV testing have been widely documented, but limited information exists regarding HCV screening rates. Among a community sample of 86 IDUs, aged 18–25 years in Rhode Island, 87.2% reported ever testing for HIV versus 51.2% for HCV ( p < .001). Young injectors were under-screened for HCV compared with the far less prevalent HIV infection.