E-SYS Quick Facts: Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Canadian Street Youth: The Role of Injection Drug Use [fact sheet]

This document examines the role of injection drug use (IDU) in the transmission of hepatitis C (HCV) among Canadian street youth. Information presented is based on data collected in 2003 by the Enhanced Surveillance of Canadian Street Youth (E-SYS), a system that monitors risk behaviours and health determinants in the Canadian street youth population. This report concludes that making treatments available and accessible to street youth and establishing educational preventative initiatives and programs on the risk associated with IDU in major urban centres may be useful in dealing with the issue.