Univariable associations between a history of incarceration and HIV and HCV prevalence among people who inject drugs across 17 countries in Europe 2006 to 2020: is the precautionary principle applicable?

Lucas Wiessing*, Eleni Kalamara, Jack Stone, Peyman Altan, Luk Van Baelen, Anastasios Fotiou, D’Jamila Garcia, Joao Goulao, Bruno Guarita, Vivian Hope, Marie Jauffret-Roustide, Lina Jurgelaitienė, Martin Kåberg, Adeeba Kamarulzaman, Liis Lemsalu, Anda Kivite-Urtane, Branko Kolarić, Linda Montanari, Magdalena Rosińska, Lavinius SavaIlonka Horváth, Thomas Seyler, Vana Sypsa, Anna Tarján, Ioanna Yiasemi, Ruth Zimmermann, Marica Ferri, Kate Dolan, Anneli Uusküla, Peter T Vickerman

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

Background
People who inject drugs (PWID) are frequently incarcerated, which is associated with multiple negative health outcomes.

Aim
We aimed to estimate the associations between a history of incarceration and prevalence of HIV and HCV infection among PWID in Europe.

Methods
Aggregate data from PWID recruited in drug services (excluding prison services) or elsewhere in the community were reported by 17 of 30 countries (16 per virus) collaborating in a European drug monitoring system (2006–2020; n = 52,368 HIV+/−; n = 47,268 HCV+/−). Country-specific odds ratios (OR) and prevalence ratios (PR) were calculated from country totals of HIV and HCV antibody status and self-reported life-time incarceration history, and pooled using meta-analyses. Country-specific and overall population attributable risk (PAR) were estimated using pooled PR.

Results
Univariable HIV OR ranged between 0.73 and 6.37 (median: 2.1; pooled OR: 1.92; 95% CI: 1.52–2.42). Pooled PR was 1.66 (95% CI 1.38–1.98), giving a PAR of 25.8% (95% CI 16.7–34.0). Univariable anti-HCV OR ranged between 1.06 and 5.04 (median: 2.70; pooled OR: 2.51; 95% CI: 2.17–2.91). Pooled PR was 1.42 (95% CI: 1.28–1.58) and PAR 16.7% (95% CI: 11.8–21.7). Subgroup analyses showed differences in the OR for HCV by geographical region, with lower estimates in southern Europe.

Conclusion
In univariable analysis, a history of incarceration was associated with positive HIV and HCV serostatus among PWID in Europe. Applying the precautionary principle would suggest finding alternatives to incarceration of PWID and strengthening health and social services in prison and after release (‘throughcare’).
Original languageEnglish
Article number2002093
Number of pages12
JournalEurosurveillance
Volume26
Issue number49
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 9 Dec 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
MK has received honoraria for lectures/consultancy from AbbVie, Gilead, MSD, Mundipharma, DnE Pharma and Nordic Drugs and has received research grants from Gilead and Nordic Drugs.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • HIV
  • HCV
  • PWID
  • prison
  • incarceration
  • decarceration

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