Theme: Epidemiology & Public Health Research Year: 2024
Background: A major burden of HIV, hepatitis C and B virus (HCV, HBV) infection in Europe is attributed to drug use. To eliminate HIV, HCV and HBV as public health concerns by 2030, as proposed by WHO, the epidemiology of these infections, related behaviours and public health responses need to be closely monitored, and control measures adapted. We aimed to update the existing drug-related infectious diseases (DRID) study protocol by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction to harmonize data collection in Europe.
Methods: We reviewed the indicators to be collected and the methods to be used for the monitoring of DRID by a desk review. We set up a European DRID expert group, who discussed and reviewed the suggested methods and were asked to provide best practice survey examples.
Results: The protocol covers all steps needed for bio-behavioural surveys among PWID, including using alternative data collection methods, such as routine testing data. Prevalence of viraemic HCV infection, the HCV and HIV care cascades, and harm reduction indicators were recommended to be monitored as new DRID-specific core indicators. HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, take-home naloxone and discrimination in health care were included as optional indicators. Best practice examples of (repeated) cross-sectional and cohort surveys from Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, Scotland and Sweden were added in the respective protocol sections with links to publications and study materials.
Conclusion: This hands-on protocol offers options to use data from different kinds of surveys and routine data to monitor and report on DRID. These data are urgently needed at local and national level to tailor effective responses to HIV and viral hepatitis among PWID who are disproportionately affected by these infections. At European level it will help to close DRID data gaps, harmonise data collection and support the monitoring of progress to elimination.