Screening and analysis of HCV among drug users in Dehong Prefecture， Yunnan Province from 2014 to 2021

Objective To analyze the prevalence of HCV antibody positive and associated factors among drug users in Dehong Prefecture， Yunnan， and to provide scientific evidence for HCV prevention.

Methods Questionnaire surveys and serological testing were conducted among 400 drug users continuously selected from four national AIDS sentinel surveillance in Dehong Prefecture between January and July during 2014‒2021.

Results 11 683 drug users were included. The prevalence of HCV antibody positive was 20.2% overall， and 14.9%， 20.1%， 22.4%， 19.8%， 22.5%， 20.6%， 24.5%， 19.0% from 2014 to 2021， respectively （trend Z=-3.78， P<0.001）. Multivariable analysis indicated the following were independently associated with HCV antibody positive： that older age （OR=1.02， 95%CI： 1.02‒1.03）， male （OR=1.70， 95%CI： 1.19‒2.42）， unmarried （OR=1.64， 95%CI： 1.44‒1.87）， divorced or widowed （OR=1.73， 95%CI： 1.48‒2.02）， Jingpo ethnicity （OR=1.39， 95%CI： 1.19‒1.63）， injection drug use （OR=15.46， 95%CI： 13.13‒18.12）， and HIV infection （OR=4.96， 95%CI：4.12‒5.99）.

Conclusion The prevalence of HCV antibody positive among drug users in Dehong Prefecture is high and increases with some fluctuations during 2014 to 2021， which highlights the need to develop interventions targeting this population.