Barriers and Facilitators to Undergoing Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Testing through Drug Treatment Programs

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 1161-1185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shiela M. Strauss ◽  
Corrine Munoz-Plaza ◽  
Nelson Jose Tiburcio ◽  
Janetta Astone-Twerell ◽  
Don C. Des Jarlais ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Drug Treatment ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Barriers And Facilitators ◽  
Treatment Programs ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Drug Treatment Programs ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Hcv Testing

Given the high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among drug users, HCV testing is critical in this population. While many drug treatment programs offer HCV testing, patients often do not utilize this essential program-facilitated service. Summarizing data collected in semi-structured interviews and surveys with patients in 25 programs, this paper identifies barriers and facilitators to being tested for HCV through the program. Barriers include the patient's belief that she/he is not HCV infected, fear of needles, fear of obtaining a positive HCV test result, fear of disclosure of such a result, and fear of inappropriate or disrespectful treatment during the testing process. In addition, 38% of HCV sero-unaware or sero-negative patients completing the survey did not know that HCV testing was offered through their programs. Salient facilitators for those tested through their programs include support from staff in explaining the importance of testing and help in understanding and coping with test results.

Provision of Hepatitis C Education in a Nationwide Sample of Drug Treatment Programs

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janetta Astone ◽  
Shiela M. Strauss ◽  
Zdravko P. Vassilev ◽  
Don C. Des Jarlais
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Drug Treatment ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Treatment Programs ◽  
Educational Services ◽  
Drug Treatment Programs

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has reached epidemic proportions among drug users, and drug programs are in a unique position to provide each of their patients with HCV education. Using a nationwide sample ( N = 434) of drug treatment programs, we report the results of a logistic regression analysis that differentiates programs providing HCV education to all of their patients versus programs that do not. Fifty-four percent of the programs provide HCV education to all of their patients. Programs are about four and a half times as likely to provide HCV education to all patients if they dispense methadone; almost four times as likely to provide this service if they educate most of their staff about HCV; twice as likely if they are residential; and almost twice as likely if they conduct HIV testing on-site. Our findings indicate that there is a need to increase HCV educational services in drug treatment programs.

Staff Perspectives on Facilitating the Implementation of Hepatitis C Services at Drug Treatment Programs

2006 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 233-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corrine E. Munoz-Plaza ◽  
Shiela M. Strauss ◽  
Janetta M. Astone-Twerwll ◽  
Don C. Des Jarlais ◽  
Holly Hagan
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Drug Treatment ◽  
Treatment Programs ◽  
Drug Treatment Programs

scholarly journals Hepatitis C Virus (HCV): Prevalence in a Gynecological Urgent Care Clinic Population

2004 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-12
Author(s):  
J. Adusumalli ◽  
E. A. Bonney ◽  
L. Odenat ◽  
D. J. Jamieson
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Injection Drug Users ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Injection Drug ◽  
Urgent Care ◽  
Care Clinic ◽  
Screening Questions ◽  
Gynecological Care ◽  
Hcv Testing

Objective:To determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among women seeking urgent gynecological care.Methods:Women were asked to complete a short self-assessment screening of HCV risk. Those answering yes to any of the screening questions were offered HCV testing and were asked to complete a more detailed questionnaire.Results:Among the 125 women who completed the screening questionnaire, 80% (100) answered yes to one or more of the screening questions. Of the 99 women who underwent testing, six (6.1%) were HCV seropositive; a history of injection drug use was the only finding associated with HCV seropositivity (R.R 9.7: 95% CI 1.90–49.40).Conclusions:Women seeking urgent outpatient gynecological care, particularly those who are injection drug users, are at a substantial risk of HCV infection. A careful risk assessment should be completed in order to identify women who should be offered HCV testing.

HEPATITIS C KNOWLEDGE AMONG STAFF IN U.S. DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAMS

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
SHIELA M. STRAUSS ◽  
JANETTA M. ASTONE-TWERELL ◽  
CORRINE MUNOZ-PLAZA ◽  
DON C. DES JARLAIS ◽  
MARYA GWADZ ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Drug Treatment ◽  
Treatment Programs ◽  
Drug Treatment Programs

scholarly journals Single Clinical Practice's Report of Testing Initiation, Antibody Clearance, and Transmission of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in Infants of Chronically HCV-Infected Mothers

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aswine Bal ◽  
Anna Petrova
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Hcv Transmission ◽  
Hcv Antibody ◽  
Perinatally Acquired ◽  
Hcv Screening ◽  
Chronic Hcv ◽  
Hcv Testing

Abstract Background.  Perinatally acquired hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the main source of pediatric HCV infection. However, the best time for initiation of screening and follow up of these infants is still unknown. Analysis of the clinical data of infants born to HCV-infected mothers, transmission rates, and pathway of HCV testing could be important for optimization of their management. Methods.  Children of mothers with chronic HCV infection, who were observed between 1998 and 2013 at the pediatric infectious disease clinic for the first 18 months of their life, were eligible for enrollment. We analyzed the factors influencing initiation of HCV testing in these children and rate of HCV transmission as demonstrated by consecutive HCV antibody and HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) amplification testing. Results.  One hundred and forty-two mother-infant pairs were enrolled. The majority of mothers were intravenous drug users, had carried to term, and delivered vaginally. A high proportion of infants had at least 1 positive anti-HCV antibody assay without viremia. True HCV infection and intermittent viremia were recorded in 3.5% and 1.4% of infants, respectively. Initiation of HCV testing after 10 months of age was associated with a significant decline in the probability of obtaining a positive HCV antibody of maternal origin. Conclusions.  The low likelihood for detection and confirmation of true HCV transmission before 10 months of age could challenge the early initiation of HCV screening of infants exposed to maternal HCV infection but may affect the parental need for early monitoring and counseling.

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