Purpose: Examine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening, confirmatory testing, and care experiences among young adult nonmedical prescription opioid (NMPO) users.
Methods: We examined self-reported HCV screening history in a sample of 18- to 29-year-olds reporting past-month NMPO use, and we used modified Poisson regression to identify associated sociodemographic and drug use patterns.
Results: Among 196 participants, 154 (78.6%) reported prior HCV screening, among whom 18 (11.7%) reported positive results. Of these, 13 (72.2%) reported receiving a confirmatory test; 12 (66.7%) were referred for specialty HCV care. Screening was associated with injection drug use (adjusted prevalence ratio [APR] = 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.05-1.33) and history of hospitalization for psychiatric illness (APR = 1.23; 95% CI = 1.09-1.39). Younger participants (18-23 years) were less likely to have been screened (APR = .69; 95% CI = .57-.85).
Conclusion: Among young adult NMPO users, post-HCV screening support and referral to care were inadequate.
Keywords: Follow-up; Hepatitis C virus; Linkage to care; Nonmedical prescription opioid use; Referral; Screening; Testing; Young adult.
Copyright © 2017 The Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.