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Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is transmitted parenterally, most often via injection-drug use (IDU) or receipt of infected blood products. However, 10% to 15% of HCV-infected persons report no risk factors for parenteral transmission, leading some researchers to wonder whether the virus might also be spread through sexual contact or sharing of household items.
Now, in a study involving 265 drug-using heterosexual couples in New York City, investigators have assessed the role of sexual behaviors in HCV transmission. To account for the interdependence of risk factors shared by couples (“dyadic data”), they used a novel technique involving multilevel logistic-regression modeling. All couples provided blood samples for HCV antibody screening and detail…