Hepatitis C Virus Is Associated With Increased Mortality Among Incarcerated Hospitalized Persons in Massachusetts

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is curable, but incarcerated populations face barriers to treatment. In a cohort of incarcerated hospitalized patients in Boston, Massachusetts, HCV infection was associated with increased mortality. Access to HCV treatment in carceral settings is crucial to avoid unnecessary death and to support HCV elimination efforts.

Perceptions of ASHA workers in the HOPE collaborative care mental health intervention in rural South India: a qualitative analysis

ObjectiveThe main objective of this exploratory study was to investigate the overlooked perspectives and beliefs of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA workers) regarding a collaborative care mental health intervention (HOPE: Healthier Options through Empowerment), mental illness and the health of their rural communities.DesignSemi-structured, one-on-one, qualitative interviews.SettingSeven primary health centres (PHCs) in rural Karnataka, India. All PHCs had previously completed the HOPE study.Participants15 ASHA workers, selected via purposive sampling. ASHAs are high school-educated village women trained as community health workers. ASHAs were included if they had previously participated in the HOPE intervention, a collaborative-care randomised controlled trial that aimed to integrate mental healthcare into existing primary care systems in rural Karnataka.InterventionsNo interventions were introduced.ResultsASHA workers mostly had positive interactions with patients, including encouraging them to attend sessions, helping to explain the topics and techniques, and checking on the patients frequently. ASHA workers were able to identify key barriers to treatment and facilitators to treatment. ASHAs claimed that their knowledge about mental illness improved because of the HOPE study, though gaps remained in their understanding of aetiology and treatment. Several expressed interest in receiving additional mental health training. Overall, ASHAs viewed the HOPE study as a necessary and effective intervention, and requested that it expand.ConclusionsThis paper discusses the perspectives of ASHAs who participated in a novel effort to extend the collaborative care model to their own communities. ASHA workers help maintain relationships with patients that encourage participation, and the efforts of ASHAs often aid in mitigating common barriers to treatment. ASHA workers’ beliefs and knowledge regarding mental illness can be changed, and ASHAs can become effective advocates for patients. Future collaborative care interventions would likely benefit from involving ASHA workers in community outreach efforts.

Relationship between Perception of Individual Susceptibility and Barriers to Treatment Action in Scabies Patients

Background: Scabies is found in crowded residential areas such as orphanages, dormitories, prisons, and Islamic boarding schools. In 2017, it was reported that scabies was among the 15 most common types of skin infections in Sumenep District, which reported 12,229 cases of scabies. Purpose: This study aims to analyze the relationship between the perception of individual susceptibility and barriers to treatment action in scabies patients at the Nasy’atul Muta’alimin Islamic Boarding School, Sumenep District, East Java. Methods: This research was an observational analytic study using a case-control design. The study population was patients with scabies in Nasy’atul Mutaalimin Islamic Boarding School, Sumenep District, East Java. The sample size was 70 people, consisting of 35 scabies patients who did not seek treatment as a case group and 35 scabies patients who did seek treatment as a control group. The sampling method used was simple random sampling. The two independent variables studied were the perception of individual susceptibility and barriers to treatment, while the dependent variable was treatment measures. The data analysis techniques employed were univariate and bivariate analysis. Results: This study shows that there are variables that have a relationship (p < 0.05) with the perception of individual susceptibility (OR = 99.00 95% CI 17.85 < OR < 548.86) and perceived barriers (OR = 29.00 95%, CI 7.968 < OR < 105.55). Conclusion: There is a relationship between the perception of individual susceptibility and barriers to treatment action in scabies patients.