Publications by authors named "D BIXLER"
Article Synopsis
- Injection drug use (IDU) significantly contributes to viral hepatitis, HIV, and drug overdose, but national data often lacks IDU information, hindering accurate assessment of its impact.
- This study utilized 2019-2021 hepatitis C case data to compare different methods of imputing missing IDU information, including listwise deletion and multiple imputation models like logistic regression, predictive mean matching, and random forest.
- Results showed that random forest methods, particularly the fast implementation, provided the most accurate and efficient estimates of IDU prevalence, suggesting they could improve surveillance and prevention strategies for IDU-related health issues.
The overlapping epidemics of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV infection stem from underlying behaviors and health disparities among disproportionately affected populations, especially people who inject drugs (PWID). Characterizing the prevalence of HCV-HIV coinfection offers improved data to address these underlying determinants of health. We performed a literature search for articles that describe US populations, were published during 2005-2021, and summarized evidence of the prevalence of HCV infection in recent HIV clusters and outbreaks among PWID.
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- Universal infant and childhood vaccination for hepatitis B led to a 99% drop in cases among those under 19 in the U.S. from 1990-2019, but cases among adults aged 40 and older plateaued or increased between 2010-2019.
- Surveillance revealed ongoing hepatitis B transmission, especially in populations like people who inject drugs and those with multiple sexual partners, with high rates among non-Hispanic White individuals living in rural areas.
- Recommendations for universal adult vaccination and screening highlight the need for better data to enhance vaccination and screening efforts, particularly for high-risk groups and non-US-born individuals.
Background: Prevalence and awareness of HBV infection are important national indicators of progress toward hepatitis B elimination.
Methods: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey participants were examined for laboratory evidence of HBV infection (positive antibody to HBcAg and HBsAg), and interviewed to determine awareness of HBV infection. Estimates of HBV infection prevalence and awareness were calculated for the US population.