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Abstract Details
Awareness of hepatitis C virus infection status among people who inject drugs in a setting of universal direct-acting antiviral therapy: The ETHOS Engage study
Int J Drug Policy. 2022 Oct 11;110:103876. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2022.103876.Online ahead of print.
1The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Electronic address: hvalerio@kirby.unsw.edu.au.
2The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
3The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
4Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
5Population Health Strategy & Performance, NSW Health, New South Wales, Australia.
6NSW Users and AIDS Association, New South Wales, Australia.
7Department of Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
8Kirketon Road Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
9National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
10Next Step Drug and Alcohol Service, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
11North Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Abstract
Background: Awareness of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection status among people who inject drugs (PWID) can empower people with diagnosis, enable treatment uptake, and facilitate elimination. We aimed to evaluate awareness of HCV infection status among a large national cohort of PWID in an era of unrestricted HCV treatment.
Methods: ETHOS Engage is an observational cohort study of PWID attending drug treatment clinics and needle and syringe programs in Australia. Participants completed a questionnaire containing self-reported HCV data (including infection status: never tested, tested/unknown, no current HCV infection [HCV RNA not detectable], current HCV infection [HCV RNA detectable]) and underwent point-of-care HCV RNA testing (Xpert® HCV Viral Load Fingerstick). Awareness was defined as concordant self-reported HCV status and test result. Awareness was assessed among all participants, those with current HCV infection, and participants who reported a lifetime history of HCV treatment. Logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with awareness in these three populations.
Results: Among 2,305 PWID, 65% (n=1,506) were aware of their HCV infection status (self-reported HCV status matched HCV point-of-care result). Awareness of infection status was higher among those who were not currently infected (70%, n=1,281/1,818) compared to those with current HCV infection (46%, n=225/487). After adjusting, those with current HCV infection were less likely to be aware of infection status (aOR: 0.40, 95%CI: 0.30, 0.45). Among those who reported a lifetime history of HCV treatment, 71% (n=592/829) were aware of their HCV infection status.
Conclusion: Among a large cohort of PWID in Australia, awareness of HCV infection status is sub-optimal, with particularly concerning levels among those with active infection. Increased and simplified testing, post-test counselling, and post-treatment monitoring is warranted.