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Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
n/a
Background:
Many local health authorities do not have the resources to investigate all hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) reports, with the exception of acute cases. In 2001, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) began its hepatitis registry. However, the registry lacks risk factor, and sometimes, basic demographic information. Alternatively, this information is collected routinely for all reported HIV/AIDS cases to CDPH. In order to better understand coinfection of HBV and HIV/AIDS, and HCV and HIV/AIDS, CDPH merged the two databases.
Methods:
Information in the hepatitis registry was used to create the same unique identifier used for HIV/AIDS surveillance, and a match was performed based on this identifier. Demographic and risk behaviors were compared for the two coinfected groups utilizing self-reported behaviors obtained through HIV/AIDS surveillance. These behaviors pertained solely to HIV/AIDS related risk behaviors.
Results:
Between 10.9-11.2 percent of reported HBV individuals and 9.1-9.3 percent of reported HCV individuals are coinfected with HIV/AIDS. The peak age range for HBV coinfected individuals (30-39) is approximately 10 years less than HCV coinfected individuals. A higher gender disparity exists for HBV coinfected individuals (85 percent male) versus HCV coinfected individuals (71 percent male). In terms of leading self-reported HIV risk behaviors, 49 percent of HBV coinfected individuals identified “men who have sex with men” as one of their behaviors, whereas 61 percent of HCV coinfected individuals identified IV drug use.
Conclusions:
With limited funding to conduct case investigations on all hepatitis reports received, public health professionals must make the best use of existing resources. Based on thorough information obtained through HIV/AIDS surveillance, the CDPH was able to compare and contrast various characteristics of coinfected individuals that will help identify populations at greatest risk of coinfection and effectively target prevention and treatment resources.
See more of Poster Session #2
See more of The 2005 National Viral Hepatitis Prevention Conference