Hep C common in B.C. women with HIV: Study

published on May 20, 2010 in Metro

HIV-positive women in British Columbia are more likely than those in other provinces to also have hepatitis C or be injection drug users, according to a study released yesterday.

The report, put together by researchers with the Canadian Observational Cohort, found that HIV risk factors for women vary significantly among provinces.

More than 44 per cent of HIV-positive B.C. women were likely to report hepatitis C co-infection, compared to 14 per cent in Ontario and 20 per cent in Quebec. They were also more likely to have a history of injection drug use — at 41 per cent — compared to 10.8 per cent in Ontario and 14 per cent in Quebec.

“Defining the differences in the characteristics of HIV-positive women among provinces is the first step in developing targeted treatment, prevention, access and management programs,” said Dr. Mona Loutfy, co-principal investigator.

Robert Hogg, researcher at the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, added that the data is key to helping understand how and why Canadian women are being infected with HIV. More >>

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Epidemiology and Population Health

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© Copyright BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
St. Paul's Hospital 608–1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6Z 1Y6
Tel: 604-806-8477 | Fax: 604-806-9044
General inquiries: info@bccfe.ca
Media inquiries: communications@bccfe.ca
(Please do not use any of these email addresses to send personal information or book an appointment. To book appointments or contact the H2H clinic, please call 604-416-1517 or fax: 604-564-4893. Do not send your or your client's personal information via email.)

Our work serves clients and communities across British Columbia on lands and waters cared for and nurtured by the many distinct First Nations across the province. The BC-CfE humbly and gratefully acknowledge the stewards of these lands, particularly the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh) on whose unceded, traditional and ancestral territories our offices are located.