Validity of Injecting Drug Users' Self Report of Hepatitis A, B, and C

Erin G Schlicting; Mark E Johnson; Christiane Brems; Rebecca S Wells; Dennis G Fisher; Grace Reynolds

doi:10.29074/ascls.16.2.99

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Erin G Schlicting
1. is a doctoral student, University of Rhode Island, Kingston RI
Mark E Johnson
1. is Professor of Psychology at the University of Alaska, Anchorage AK
Christiane Brems
1. is Professor of Psychology at the University of Alaska, Anchorage AK
Rebecca S Wells
1. is at the Alaska Native Health Board, Anchorage AK
Dennis G Fisher⇑
1. is Director, Center for Behavioral Research and Services at California State University, Long Beach CA
Grace Reynolds
1. is Associate Director, Center for Behavioral Research and Services at California State University, Long Beach CA

Address for correspondence: Dennis G Fisher PhD, Director, Center for Behavioral Research and Services, 1090 Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach CA 90813. (562) 495-2330 x121. (562) 983-1421 (fax). dfisher{at}csulb.edu

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To test the validity of drug users self-reports of diseases associated with drug use, in this case hepatitis A, B, and C.

DESIGN: Injecting drug users (n = 653) were recruited and asked whether they had been diagnosed previously with hepatitis A, B, and/or C. These self-report data were compared to total hepatitis A antibody, hepatitis B core antibody, and hepatitis C antibody seromarkers as a means of determining the validity of the self-reported information.

SETTING: Anchorage, Alaska.

PARTICIPANTS: Criteria for inclusion included being at least 18-years old; testing positive on urinalysis for cocaine metabolites, amphetamine, or morphine; having visible signs of injection (track marks).

INTERVENTION: Serological testing for hepatitis A, B, and C.

MAIN OUTCOME: Findings indicate high specificity, low sensitivity, and low kappa coefficients for all three self-report measures.

RESULTS: Subgroup analyses revealed significant differences in sensitivity associated with previous substance abuse treatment experience for hepatitis B self-report and with gender for hepatitis C self-report.

CONCLUSION: Given the low sensitivity, the validity of drug users, self-reported information on hepatitis should be considered with caution.

ABBREVIATIONS: HAV = hepatitis A virus; HBV = hepatitis B virus; HCV = hepatitis C virus; HIV = human immunodeficiency virus; IDU = injection drug user; STD = sexually transmitted disease.