Final Report: Estimating the Number of Persons co-infected with Hepatitis C Virus and Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Canada

March 31, 2001

Robert S. Remis MD, MPH, FRCPC
Department of Public Health Sciences
University of Toronto

Study prepared under contract for the:

Hepatitis C Division
Population and Public Health Branch
Health Canada

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Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
1.2 Mandate
1.3 Study objectives

2. METHODS
2.1 Number of HIV-infected persons in Canada as of December 1999
2.2 Estimating HCV prevalence
2.2.1 Literature review
2.2.2 Consultation on HCV prevalence in Canada
2.2.3 Estimates of HCV prevalence among hemophilia patients and transfusion recipients
2.3 Estimates of HCV-HIV co-infection among the Aboriginal population
2.4 Estimates of HCV-HIV co-infection among prisoners

3. RESULTS
3.1 HIV prevalence in Canada as of December 1999
3.2 HCV prevalence
3.2.1 Literature search
3.2.1.1 HCV infection among HIV-infected men who have sex with men
3.2.1.2 HCV infection among HIV-infected injection drug users
3.2.1.3 HCV infection among HIV-infected MSM-IDU
3.2.1.4 HCV infection among HIV-infected persons from HIV-endemic countries
3.2.1.5 HCV infection among HIV-infected persons infected by heterosexual contact
3.2.1.6 HCV infection among HIV-infected hemophilia patients
3.2.1.7 HCV infection among HIV-infected among blood transfusion recipients
3.2.1.8 HCV infection among HIV-infected prisoners
3.2.2 Consultation on HCV prevalence in Canada
3.3 HCV-HIV co-infection in Canada, as of December 1999
3.3.1 HCV-HIV co-infection by exposure category and geographic region
3.3.2 HCV-HIV co-infection in the Aboriginal population
3.3.3 HCV-HIV co-infection among prisoners

4. DISCUSSION

5. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

6. REFERENCES

7. TABLES

List of Tables

• Table 1 Estimated HIV prevalence by exposure category
  Canada, December 1999
• Table 2 Prevalence of HCV infection among HIV-infected men who have sex with men recruited in different settings and locations
• Table 3 Prevalence of HCV infection among HIV-infected injection drug users recruited in different settings and locations
• Table 4 Prevalence of HCV infection among persons HIV-infected by heterosexual contact recruited in different settings and locations
• Table 5 Prevalence of HCV infection among HIV-infected hemophilia patients recruited in different settings and locations
• Table 6 Estimates of HCV prevalence among HIV-infected persons by exposure category established by key informants
• Table 7 Estimate of HCV prevalence among HIV-infected persons by exposure category and geographic region, Canada, December 1999
• Table 8a Estimate of HCV-HIV-infected persons by exposure category Canada, December 1999
• Table 8b Estimate of HCV-HIV-infected persons by geographic region Canada, December 1999
• Table 9 Proportion of study population with Aboriginal status and prevalence of HIV and HCV infection among Aboriginal population, selected published studies
• Table 10 Number of HIV-infected Aboriginal persons by exposure category Canada, 1999
• Table 11a HCV-HIV infections among the Aboriginal population by exposure category, Canada, 1999
• Table 11b HCV-HIV infections among the Aboriginal population by geographic region, Canada, 1999
• Table 12 History of drug injection and prevalence of HIV and HCV infection among injection drug users incarcerated in Canadian federal or provincial prisons, selected published studies
• Table 13 Incarcerated population at risk for HIV, proportions, populations and numbers geographic region, Canada, 1999
• Table 14a HCV-HIV infections among prisoners by exposure category Canada, 1999
• Table 14b HCV-HIV infections among prisoners by geographic region, Canada, 1999

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Our mission is to help the people of Canada
maintain and improve their health.

Health Canada

This Report was prepared by:

Robert S. Remis MD, MPH, FRCPC
Department of Public Health Sciences
University of Toronto

Additional copies are available from:

Hepatitis C Prevention, Support & Research Program
Population and Public Health Branch
Health Canada
Postal Locator 4602A
2nd Floor, 400 Cooper Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9

Tel.: (613) 941-7543
Fax: (613) 941-7563

This report can be downloaded from the Health Canada website at: http://www.healthcanada.ca/hepc

Consult this website for more information on the Hepatitis C Prevention, Support & Research Program.

This publication can be made available in/on computer diskette, large print, audio-cassette or braille upon request.

Ce document est disponible en français sous le titre
Estimation du nombre de personnes co-infectées par le virus de l'hépatite C et le virus de l'immunodéficience humaine au Canada.