Healthcare Providers' Views on Hepatitis C Testing and Counseling Among Sexual Partners of Hepatitis C–Infected Persons

2020 ◽  
Vol Publish Ahead of Print ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Dunham ◽  
Jessica McDonald ◽  
Anna Yousaf ◽  
Joshua A. Barocas ◽  
Marguerite A. Neill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Testing And Counseling

scholarly journals 314. Healthcare Providers’ Views on HCV Testing and Counseling Among Sexual Partners of Hepatitis C-Infected Persons

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S166-S167
Author(s):  
Katherine Dunham ◽  
Jessica McDonald ◽  
Anna Yousaf ◽  
Joshua A Barocas ◽  
Marguerite A Neill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Partner Notification ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Boston University ◽  
Counseling And Testing ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Hcv Testing ◽  
Outbreak Situation

Abstract Background Current hepatitis C virus (HCV) counseling guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) do not recommend that HCV-infected-patients notify their partners or encourage them to get tested. Because there is a small but present risk of HCV acquisition through sex, sexual partners should be encouraged to receive HCV counseling and testing. We aimed to assess healthcare professionals’ knowledge of and attitudes toward current counseling and testing recommendations for HCV-infected patients. Methods A 15-question, anonymous survey was designed and distributed to a convenience sample of healthcare providers (MDs, NPs, PAs) who work with Brown University or Boston University-affiliated hospitals. Questionnaires included demographic information as well as questions regarding providers’ current counseling practices and knowledge of current recommendations for HCV counseling. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the survey data. Results Of the 55 respondents (a 20% response rate), 73% believed that current CDC HCV testing guidelines already recommend partners of HCV-infected patients be tested for HCV infection. Furthermore, 80% of respondents believed recommendations should be revisited to explicitly include that HCV-infected patients encourage their partners to get tested. When counseling patients with HCV, 44% of respondents reported they always ask whether the patient’s partners have been tested for HCV and 42% reported they sometimes do. Similarly, 42% reported they always suggest that the HCV-infected patient’s partners be tested for HCV. If sufficient resources were available, 75% of respondents reported that they would support active partner notification for HCV during an HCV outbreak situation and 72% said they would support active partner notification in a non-outbreak situation where there is still high HCV incidence. Conclusion Our survey shows that healthcare providers believe that current HCV-counseling and testing recommendations could be revisited, with specific attention given to the promotion of HCV testing for partners of HCV-infected patients. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

scholarly journals Search for intrafamilial transmission of hepatitis C virus in hemophilia patients

Blood ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 1077-1082
Author(s):  
SA Brackmann ◽  
A Gerritzen ◽  
J Oldenburg ◽  
HH Brackmann ◽  
KE Schneweis
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Second Generation ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Hbv Infection ◽  
Intrafamilial Transmission ◽  
Household Contacts ◽  
Percent Positivity

This study was performed to determine the risk of family members of anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive hemophilia patients (index patients) for infection with HCV compared with the risk of acquiring hepatitis B virus (HBV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection. All index patients (n = 141) were found to be positive by first and second generation anti-HCV enzyme immunoassays (EIAs). Among their household contacts (n = 228), 224 were negative and 1 positive by both assays. Three contacts gave positive results in first generation anti-HCV EIA and negative results in second generation assay. This latter result was confirmed by further tests (neutralization test, synthetic peptides, and supplemental assay). Percent positivity for anti-HBc was about the same in non-sexual household contacts and sexual partners (13 of 109 [12%] and 7 of 54 [13%], respectively). Percent prevalence of anti-HBc was higher in contacts of index patients with chronic hepatitis B than in those of index patients who had recovered from that disease (6 of 20 [30%] and 14 of 133 [10%], respectively; P < .05). The HBV infection rate of contacts participating in controlled self-treatment was not higher than that of controls (3 of 57 [5%] and 10 of 98 [10%], respectively). Of 44 sexual partners, 5 (11%) were found to be positive for anti-HIV. Prevalence of anti-HAV matched with the age-related distribution in the German population. These findings suggest that intrafamilial transmission of HCV to family members of hemophilia patients is uncommon. In contacts of hemophilia patients, the risk of acquiring HBV infection seems to be as high in household contacts as in sexual contacts. Participation in controlled self-treatment does not appear to be an additional risk for HCV and HBV infection. There is no doubt that sexual transmission of HCV is less common than that of HBV and HIV.

scholarly journals Barriers to the Prevention and Control of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in the Community of Southwestern China: A Qualitative Research

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tingting Li ◽  
Shu Su ◽  
Yong Zhao ◽  
Runze Deng ◽  
Mingyue Fan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Control Program ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
And Control ◽  
Poor Cognition

Objective viral hepatitis is a big challenge in China. However, few studies have focused on mapping the difficulties from a broader view. This study aimed to identify the barriers to the prevention and control of hepatitis B and hepatitis C in communities from the perspectives of hepatitis patients, residents, and healthcare providers. A total of 26 participants were recruited through purposive sampling. Data were collected by in-depth face-to-face interviews from September 2015 to May 2016 in two communities from Chongqing and Chengdu, China. A thematic framework was applied to analyze the qualitative data from the interviews. The critical factors of barriers to hepatitis prevention and control in the districts included poor cognition of residents regarding hepatitis B and hepatitis C, severe stigma in society, inadequate health education, and the provision of unsatisfactory medical services. Strengthening health education and improving services for treating patients with hepatitis are suggested to make further progress. A substantial gap remains between the need and currently available services for hepatitis patients and residents. Delivering quality prevention and control health services, improving health education, and reducing stigma in society are recommended to improve the prevention and control program for hepatitis B and C in communities.

scholarly journals PO 8276 COMMUNITY INDEX CASE APPROACH AND HIV TESTING AND COUNSELING (HTC) FOR SEXUAL PARTNERS OF HIV-POSITIVE PATIENTS LOST TO FOLLOW-UP: THE EXPERIENCE OF WORLD VISION MOZAMBIQUE

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. A26.1-A26
Author(s):  
Miguelhete Lisboa ◽  
Saraiva Culuze ◽  
Saimado Imputiua ◽  
Adolfo Cambule ◽  
Christine Latif
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Index Case ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Hiv Testing And Counseling ◽  
World Vision ◽  
Lost To Follow Up ◽  
Testing And Counseling ◽  
Hiv Aids

BackgroundHIV-positive patients lost to follow-up (HP-LTFU) represent a challenge for HIV/AIDS control efforts as they are associated with higher risk of HIV transmission to their sexual partners, low viral load suppression and higher risk of morbidity and mortality than adherent patients. The SCIP-Ogumaniha programme implemented by World Vision Mozambique, has been utilising the index case approach together with systematic home-based HIV testing and counseling (hHTC) since August 2016 in 7 districts of the Zambezia province. This abstract outlines an evaluation of the contribution of this approach to HIV/AIDS care and treatment (HACT) of sexual partners of HP-LTFU in alignment with the first and second targets of the 90–90–90 UNAIDS strategy.MethodsThe study involved HP-LTFU returned to HACT between October 2016 and September 2017. These patients reported to have sexual partners who had not been tested for HIV and provided informed, written consent for joint hHTC with these individuals. The hHTC package for sexual partners was offered by World Vision project counselors and those who tested HIV-positive were referred to HACT.ResultsOf 7.084 patients who returned to HACT and reported to have an untested sexual partner, 63% (4,471) provided informed, written consent for joint hHTC. Of 4264 sexual partners found and tested, 52% was female, 64% was in the 15–34 age groups, and 88% had never been tested for HIV. About 28% (1.205/4.264) was HIV-positive, 56% of the sexual partners who tested HIV-positive, was female and 98% of these was successfully referred to HACT.ConclusionThe index case approach together with hHTC has contributed to the early diagnosis of 28% of new HIV infections among sexual partners of HP-LTFU and 98% of them ensured timely linkage to the HACT. Therefore, broader promotion and adoption of this approach would make a significant contribution to achievement of the first and second targets of the 90–90–90 UNAIDS strategy.

Hepatitis C elimination in Pakistan is a distant dream unless government controls the health sector

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Arshad Altaf ◽  
Safdar Kamal Pasha
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Delivery System ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Short Report ◽  
Healthcare Delivery System ◽  
The Government

Abstract The World Health Organisation (WHO) has set an ambitious target to eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV) by 2030. Pakistan is one of the focused countries because of the high prevalence of HCV. The prices of direct-acting antiviral drugs(DAA)have significantly reduced to between 11-25 dollars for a month’s treatment. To achieve the 2030 elimination target, Pakistan has to provide treatment to one million HCV-infected patients every year, beginning from 2018. This short report highlights a key barrier to achieve this target,i.e. the unsafe practices by regulated and unregulated healthcare delivery system comprising trained and untrained healthcare providers who can continue to churn out new patients with their unsafe healthcare practices and increase the possibility of re-infection in those who have been treated. Only the government has the power and authority to regulate and control the healthcare delivery system. Continuous...  

scholarly journals A Hepatitis C Educational Needs Assessment of Canadian Healthcare Providers

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Naghdi ◽  
Karen Seto ◽  
Carolyn Klassen ◽  
Didi Emokpare ◽  
Brian Conway ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Needs Assessment ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Educational Needs ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Care Providers

Background and Aim. Despite advances in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection (CHC), it remains a major public health problem in Canada and globally. The knowledge of healthcare providers (HCPs) is critical to improve the care of CHC in Canada. To assess the current knowledge and educational needs of healthcare providers (HCPs) in the area of CHC management a national online survey was conducted. Method. An interprofessional steering committee designed a 29-question survey distributed through various direct and electronic routes. The survey assessed several domains (e.g., participant and practice demographics, access to resources, knowledge of new treatments, and educational preferences). Results. A total of 163 HCPs responded to the survey. All hepatologists and 8% of primary care providers (PCPs) reported involvement in treatment of CHC. Physicians most frequently screened patients who had abnormal liver enzymes, while nurses tended to screen based on lifestyle factors. More than 70% of PCPs were not aware of new medications and their mechanisms. Conclusion. Overall, the needs assessment demonstrated that there was a need for further education, particularly for primary care physicians, to maximize the role that they can play in screening, testing, and treatment of hepatitis C in Canada.

Physicians, Nonphysician Healthcare Providers, and Patients Communicating in Hepatitis C

2006 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 364-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi E. Hamilton ◽  
Cynthia Gordon ◽  
Meaghan Nelson ◽  
Marian Kerbleski
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Healthcare Providers

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis, herpes simplex 2, Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis C and associated factors among a cohort of men ages 18–70 years from three countries

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0253005
Author(s):  
Shams Rahman ◽  
Deanna Wathington ◽  
Tim Waterboer ◽  
Michael Pawlita ◽  
Luisa L. Villa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behavior ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Herpes Simplex ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Epstein Barr Virus ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Barr Virus ◽  
Hpv Types ◽  
Epstein Barr ◽  
High Risk Hpv

Objectives To estimate the seroprevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), herpes simplex type-2 (HSV2), hepatitis C (HCV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and nine human papilloma virus (HPV) types, and investigated factors associated with the seropositivity among men from three countries (Brazil, Mexico and U.S). Methods Archived serum specimens collected at enrollment for n = 600 men were tested for antibodies against CT, HSV2, HCV, EBV, and 9-valent HPV vaccine types (6/11/16/18/31/33/45/52/58) using multiplex serologic assays. Socio-demographic, lifestyle and sexual behavior data at enrollment were collected through a questionnaire. Results Overall, 39.3% of the men were seropositive for CT, 25.4% for HSV2, 1.3% for HCV, 97.3% for EBV, 14.0% for at least one of the seven oncogenic HPV (types: 16/18/31/33/45/52/58), and 17.4% for HPV 6/11. In the unadjusted models, age, race, smoking, sexual behavior variables, and seropositivity for high-risk HPV were significantly associated with the seropositivity for CT. In multivariable analyses, self-reported black race, higher numbers of lifetime female/male sexual partners, current smoking, and seropositivity to high-risk HPV were significantly associated with increased odds of CT seropositivity. Odds of HSV2 seroprevalence were elevated among older men and those seropositive for high risk HPV. Conclusion Exposure to STIs is common among men. Prevention and screening programs should target high-risk groups to reduce the disease burden among men, and to interrupt the disease transmission to sexual partners.

scholarly journals Hepatitis C Contamination of Medication Vials Accessed with Sterile Needles and Syringes

2019 ◽  
Vol 131 (2) ◽  
pp. 305-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet M. van Vlymen ◽  
Julie Magnus ◽  
Melanie Jaeger ◽  
Sophie Breton ◽  
Nathan G. Taylor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Culture ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Isopropyl Alcohol ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Virus Infectivity ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
Single Use ◽  
Potential Risks ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Editor’s Perspective What We Already Know about This Topic What This Article Tells Us That Is New Background Health care–associated hepatitis C virus outbreaks from contaminated medication vials continue to be reported even though most practitioners deny reusing needles or syringes. The hypothesis was that when caring for hepatitis C virus–infected patients, healthcare providers may inadvertently contaminate the medication vial diaphragm and that subsequent access with sterile needles and syringes can transfer hepatitis C virus into the medication, where it remains stable in sufficient quantities to infect subsequent patients. Methods A parallel-arm lab study (n = 9) was performed in which contamination of medication vials in healthcare settings was simulated using cell culture–derived hepatitis C virus. First, surface-contaminated vials were accessed with sterile needles and syringes, and then hepatitis C virus contamination was assessed in cell culture. Second, after contaminating several medications with hepatitis C virus, viral infectivity over time was assessed. Last, surface-contaminated vial diaphragms were disinfected with 70% isopropyl alcohol to determine whether disinfection of the vial surface was sufficient to eliminate hepatitis C virus infectivity. Results Contamination of medication vials with hepatitis C virus and subsequent access with sterile needles and syringes resulted in contamination of the vial contents in sufficient quantities to initiate an infection in cell culture. Hepatitis C virus remained viable for several days in several commonly used medications. Finally, a single or 2- to 3-s wipe of the vial diaphragm with 70% isopropyl alcohol was not sufficient to eliminate hepatitis C virus infectivity. Conclusions Hepatitis C virus can be transferred into commonly used medications when using sterile single-use needles and syringes where it remains viable for several days. Furthermore, cleaning the vial diaphragm with 70% isopropyl alcohol is not sufficient to eliminate the risk of hepatitis C virus infectivity. This highlights the potential risks associated with sharing medications between patients.

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