Findings among Indigenous participants of the Tracks survey of people who inject drugs in Canada, Phase 4, 2017–2019

• Published in: Canada Communicable Disease Report
• Main Authors: Jill Tarasuk, Meghan Sullivan, Donna Bush, Christian Hui, Melissa Morris, Tami Starlight, François Cholette, Leigh Jonah, Maggie Bryson, Dana Paquette, Renée Masching
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English; French
• Published: Public Health Agency of Canada 2021
• Subjects: hiv; hepatitis c; indigenous people who inject drugs; drug use; injecting behaviours; sexual risk practices; overdose; infection status; testing; care and treatment; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Canada; First Nations; inuit
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.14745/ccdr.v47i01a07; https://doaj.org/article/9cb36aab44c446b2b58333251a7055bc

Background: The Tracks survey of people who inject drugs (PWID) collected data in 14 sentinel sites across Canada (2017–2019). These findings describe the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C and associated risk behaviours among Indigenous participants. Methods: Information regarding socio-demographics, social determinants of health, use of prevention services and testing, drug use, risk behaviours, and HIV and hepatitis C testing, care and treatment was collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires. Biological samples were tested for HIV, hepatitis C antibodies and hepatitis C ribonucleic acid (RNA). Descriptive statistics were calculated and reviewed by an Indigenous-led advisory group using the Two-Eyed Seeing approach. Results: Of the 2,383 participants, 997 were Indigenous (82.9% First Nations, 14.9% Métis, 2.2% Inuit). Over half (54.5%) were cisgender male and the average age was 38.9 years. A large proportion (84.0%) reported their mental health as “fair to excellent”. High proportions experienced stigma and discrimination (90.2%) and physical, sexual and/or emotional abuse in childhood (87.5%) or with a sexual partner (78.6%). Use of a needle/syringe distribution program (90.5%) and testing for HIV (87.9%) and hepatitis C (87.8%) were high. Prevalence of HIV was 15.4% (78.2% were aware of infection status) and 36.4% were hepatitis C RNA-positive (49.4% were aware of infection status). Conclusion: High rates of HIV and hepatitis C were identified. Challenges in access to and maintenance of HIV and hepatitis C care and treatment were noted. This information informs harm reduction strategies, including the need to scale-up awareness of prophylaxis in a culturally relevant manner.