Prevalence and Types of Drugs Used Among Hepatitis A Patients During Outbreaks Associated with Person-to-Person Transmission, Kentucky, Michigan, and West Virginia, 2016-2019.
Megan G Hofmeister, Alice Asher, Christopher M Jones, Ryan J Augustine, Cole Burkholder, Jim Collins, Monique A Foster, Shannon McBee, Douglas Thoroughman, Erica D Thomasson, Mark K Weng, Phillip R Spradling
Author Information
Megan G Hofmeister: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Alice Asher: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Christopher M Jones: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Ryan J Augustine: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Cole Burkholder: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Jim Collins: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Monique A Foster: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Shannon McBee: West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.
Douglas Thoroughman: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Erica D Thomasson: West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.
Mark K Weng: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Phillip R Spradling: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Background: People who use drugs are at increased risk for hepatitis A virus infection. Since 1996, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recommended hepatitis A vaccination for people who use drugs. Since 2016, the U.S. has experienced widespread hepatitis A outbreaks associated with person-to-person transmission. Purpose: To describe the prevalence of drug use, route of use, and drugs used among hepatitis A outbreak-associated patients. Methods: State outbreak and medical records were reviewed to describe the prevalence, type, and route of drug use among a random sample of 812 adult outbreak-associated hepatitis A patients from Kentucky, Michigan, and West Virginia during 2016-2019. Differences in drug-use status were analyzed by demographic and risk-factor characteristics using the test. Results: Among all patients, residents of Kentucky (55.6%), Michigan (51.1%), and West Virginia (60.1%) reported any drug use, respectively. Among patients that reported any drug use, methamphetamine was the most frequently reported drug used in Kentucky (42.3%) and West Virginia (42.1%); however, opioids were the most frequently reported drug used in Michigan (46.8%). Hepatitis A patients with documented drug use were more likely (<0.05) to be experiencing homelessness/unstable housing, have been currently or recently incarcerated, and be aged 18-39 years compared to those patients without documented drug use. Implications: Drug use was prevalent among person-to-person hepatitis A outbreak-associated patients, and more likely among younger patients and patients experiencing homelessness or incarceration. Increased hepatitis A vaccination coverage is critical to prevent similar outbreaks in the future.
