Hepatitis C and HIV Prevalence Using Oral Mucosal Transudate, and Reported Drug Use and Sexual Behaviours of Youth in Custody in British Columbia

Background: Youth in custody have high-risk drug use and sexual behaviours. HIV prevalence in this population was assessed in British Columbia (BC) in 1994 but hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence has never been measured. We sought to determine: 1) the performance of the OraSure®, a non-invasive device for oral mucosal transudate (OMT) specimen collection, to detect HCV and HIV antibodies; 2) the prevalence of HCV and HIV among youth in custody; and 3) the factors associated with intravenous drug use and sex for trade. Methods: OraSure® was validated in 110 adults with known HIV and HCV sero-status. Nurses administered an anonymous survey and collected OMT samples from youth aged 14-19 years in BC youth custody centres. Results: Antibody detection in OMT had 96.4% sensitivity for HIV and 94.6% for HCV. 417 youth were enrolled; 22% were female; 48% reported Aboriginal ethnicity. Although 98.3% reported ever using drugs, 9 times more likely to report sex for trade. Five Aboriginal youth were identified with HCV; prevalence estimate 1.2% (95% CI: 0.53-2.77%); 3 reported injecting drugs, the other 2 reported using cocaine/crack and sharing non-injection drug paraphernalia. Two youth were identified with HIV, prevalence estimate 0.48% (95% CI: 0.14%-1.72%). Conclusion: IDU, HCV and HIV prevalence remain low. Interventions are needed to prevent transition to IDU and further opportunities for prevention and harm reduction should be explored while the youth are in custody. Contexte : Les jeunes placés sous garde ont des comportements sexuels et d'utilisation de drogues à haut risque. La prévalence du VIH dans cette population a été évaluée en Colombie-Britannique (C.-B.) en 1994, mais la prévalence du virus de l'hépatite C (VHC) n'a jamais été évaluée. Nous avons cherché à déterminer : 1) le rendement d'OraSure®, un appareil non invasif pour le prélèvement du transsudat des muqueuses orales (TMO), afin de détecter les anticorps contre le VHC et le VIH; 2) la prévalence du VHC et du VIH chez les jeunes détenus; et 3) les facteurs associés à l'utilisation de drogues injectables et au commerce du sexe. Méthode : OraSure® a été validé sur 110 adultes atteints d'une infection du VIH et du VHC. Les infirmières ont effectué des son