Partner notification among HCV-positive couples who inject drugs

Abstract

Background: This study examines predictors of partner notification (PN) confirmed by a test counselor among people who inject drugs (PWID) and their sexual partners in Kazakhstan.Methods: We used baseline data from an HIV couple-based intervention study, restricting the sample to couples where both partners knew they were hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive prior to participation in the study (N = 136 individuals). Cross-tabulation and logistic regression were used to examine predictors of PN, including socio-demographic characteristics, sexual and drug risk behaviors, and access to health services.Results: Of the sample, 68 (50%) participants notified their partners of their HCV status. PN was associated with participation in a needle/syringe exchange program and sexually transmitted infection counseling or education in the past 6 months. In the adjusted model, concurrent HIV infection (OR = 2.4, p < 0.05), having more than one sexual partner (OR = 2.5, p < 0.05), and participation in a needle exchange program (OR = 4.3, p < 0.01) were positively associated with notifying one's partner.Conclusions: The findings from this study emphasize the importance of service access among PWID and point to the need for additional research on HCV counseling and notification strategies as a component of health services for injection drug users.