Author information
- 1School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: l.morris1@uq.edu.au.
- 2School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Australia.
- 3Queensland Injectors Health Network, Australia.
- 4School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Australia; Queensland Alcohol and Drug Research and Education Centre, The University of Queensland, Australia.
Abstract
Objective: To examine the hepatitis C virus (HCV) cascade of care at a community-based integrated harm reduction and treatment facility for people who inject drugs (PWID).
Methods: Queensland Injectors' Health Network is a community-based agency providing integrated harm reduction and treatment services, including HCV treatment. Program data were analyzed from program commencement (early 2015) up to December 2017.
Results: By December 2017, 476 participants with confirmed HCV infection had enrolled in treatment, of whom 72% had commenced treatment, 65% had completed treatment, and 44% had a confirmed sustained virologic response at 12-weeks post-treatment. Participants who commenced treatment tended to be older (ref 18-34 years; 35-49 years OR = 1.84, p = 0.037, 50+ years OR = 3.19, p = 0.002) and to feel safe and stable in their housing (OR = 2.36, p = 0.021). Participants who completed treatment were less likely to report legal issues (OR = 0.23, p = 0.009).
Conclusions: Integrated community-based services can successfully engage PWID throughout the HCV treatment journey. Additional social support, including linkage with housing and legal navigation services, may improve treatment uptake and completion. Point-of-care testing, including same-day scripting, could improve treatment uptake.