RISK OF HEPATITIS C INFECTION ASSOCIATED WITH CHEMSEX AMONG KEY POPULATIONS IN MEXICO: FINDINGS FROM AN OBSERVATIONAL COHORT
Author(s)
David isai Palafox Torres, MPH1, Ricardo Roman Vergara, MPH2, Gabriel Nuñez Martinez, MPH3.
1Intelligence and Information Division, National Institute of Public Health, Ciudad de México, Mexico, 2Monitoring and Indicators Coordination, Clínica Especializada Condesa, Mexico City, Mexico, 3Monitoring and Alert Unit, Intelligence and Information Division, National Public Health Service, Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico.
1Intelligence and Information Division, National Institute of Public Health, Ciudad de México, Mexico, 2Monitoring and Indicators Coordination, Clínica Especializada Condesa, Mexico City, Mexico, 3Monitoring and Alert Unit, Intelligence and Information Division, National Public Health Service, Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico.
OBJECTIVES: To estimate the risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection associated with chemsex among key populations in Mexico.
METHODS: A retrospective observational analysis was conducted using a clinical cohort of 5,782 individuals from key populations in Mexico evaluated for HCV infection. Demographic, behavioral, and biomedical variables were assessed, including age, number of sexual partners, condom use, chemsex, group sex, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), substance use, HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), prior HCV history, and HIV status. The primary outcome was HCV positivity. Logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate associations between behavioral risk factors and HCV infection.
RESULTS: A total of 5,782 individuals were included. Overall HCV positivity was 3.4% (198/5,782). Individuals reporting chemsex had significantly higher odds of HCV infection compared with non-users (OR=1.63; p=0.008). Recent STIs were also strongly associated with HCV infection (OR=3.06; p<0.001). Group sex demonstrated a borderline association with HCV infection (OR=1.36; p=0.051). HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) use was not independently associated with HCV infection (OR=1.08; p=0.699).
CONCLUSIONS: Chemsex was significantly associated with HCV infection among key populations in Mexico. Recent STIs further increased the likelihood of HCV positivity, suggesting overlapping sexual and behavioral risk networks. These findings support targeted HCV screening and prevention strategies among individuals reporting substance use in sexual contexts and may contribute to improving public health interventions aimed at populations at increased risk of HCV infection.
METHODS: A retrospective observational analysis was conducted using a clinical cohort of 5,782 individuals from key populations in Mexico evaluated for HCV infection. Demographic, behavioral, and biomedical variables were assessed, including age, number of sexual partners, condom use, chemsex, group sex, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), substance use, HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), prior HCV history, and HIV status. The primary outcome was HCV positivity. Logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate associations between behavioral risk factors and HCV infection.
RESULTS: A total of 5,782 individuals were included. Overall HCV positivity was 3.4% (198/5,782). Individuals reporting chemsex had significantly higher odds of HCV infection compared with non-users (OR=1.63; p=0.008). Recent STIs were also strongly associated with HCV infection (OR=3.06; p<0.001). Group sex demonstrated a borderline association with HCV infection (OR=1.36; p=0.051). HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) use was not independently associated with HCV infection (OR=1.08; p=0.699).
CONCLUSIONS: Chemsex was significantly associated with HCV infection among key populations in Mexico. Recent STIs further increased the likelihood of HCV positivity, suggesting overlapping sexual and behavioral risk networks. These findings support targeted HCV screening and prevention strategies among individuals reporting substance use in sexual contexts and may contribute to improving public health interventions aimed at populations at increased risk of HCV infection.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-11, ISPOR Europe 2026, Vienna, Austria
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue 12S
Code
EPH12
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health, Methodological & Statistical Research, Real World Data & Information Systems
Disease
Infectious Disease (non-vaccine), Mental Health (including addiction), Reproductive & Sexual Health