Jauffret-Roustide M., Le Strat Y.,Couturier E., Thierry D., Rondy ., Quaglia M., Razafandratsima N., Emmanuelli J., Guibert G., Barin F. and J.-C. Desenclos, A national cross-sectional study among drug-users in France : epidemiology of HCV and highlight on practical and statistical aspects of the design, BMC Infectious Diseases, 2009, 9, 113-124.

Abstract

In 2004–2005, we conducted a national seroepidemiologic survey of DUs, based on a random sampling design using the Generalised Weight Share Method (GWSM) and on blood testing. We conducted a two stage random survey of DUs selected to represent the diversity of drug use. The fact that DUs can use more than one structure during the study period has an impact on their inclusion probabilities. To calculate a correct sampling weight, we used the GWSM. A sociobehavioral questionnaire was administered by interviewers.
This is the first time that blood testing combined to GWSM is applied to a DUs population, which improve the estimate of HCV prevalence. HCV seroprevalence is high, indeed by the youngest DUs. And a large proportion of DUs are not aware of their status. Our multivariate analysis identifies risk factors such as crack consumption and unstable housing.