scholarly journals Gaps in the Hepatitis C Continuum of Care among Sex Workers in Vancouver, British Columbia: Implications for Voluntary Hepatitis C Virus Testing, Treatment and Care

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 411-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Eugenia Socías ◽  
Kate Shannon ◽  
Julio S Montaner ◽  
Silvia Guillemi ◽  
Sabina Dobrer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Care Continuum ◽  
The Past ◽  
Low Prevalence ◽  
Hcv Testing ◽  
Disproportionate Burden ◽  
Virus Testing

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication leads to reduced morbidity, mortality and transmission. Despite the disproportionate burden of HCV among sex workers, data regarding the HCV care continuum in this population remain negligible.METHODS: Using baseline data from an ongoing cohort of women sex workers in Vancouver (An Evaluation of Sex Workers’ Health Access, January 2010 to August 2013), the authors assessed HCV prevalence and engagement in the HCV care continuum within the past year. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate associations with recent (ie, in the past year) HCV testing.RESULTS: Among 705 sex workers, 302 (42.8%) were HCV seropositive. Of these, 22.5% were previously unaware of their HCV status, 41.7% had accessed HCV-related care, 13.9% were offered treatment and only 1.0% received treatment. Among 552 HCV-seronegative sex workers, only one-half (52.9%) reported a recent HCV test. In multivariable analysis, women who self-identified as a sexual/gender minority (adjusted OR [aOR] 1.89 [95% CI 1.11 to 3.24]), resided in the inner city drug use epicentre (aOR 3.19 [95%CI 1.78 to 5.73]) and used injection (aOR 2.00 [95% CI 1.19 to 3.34]) or noninjection drugs (aOR 1.95 [95% CI 1.00 to 3.78]) had increased odds of undergoing a recent HCV test, while immigrant participants (aOR 0.24 [95% CI 0.12 to 0.48]) had decreased odds.CONCLUSIONS: Despite a high burden of HCV among sex workers, large gaps in the HCV care continuum remain. Particularly concerning are the low access to HCV testing, with one-fifth of women living with HCV being previously unaware of their status, and the exceptionally low prevalence of HCV treatment. There is a critical need for further research to better understand and address barriers to engage in the HCV continuum for sex workers.

An opt-out approach to hepatitis C virus testing in English prisons: the literature underpinning the policy

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (20) ◽  
pp. 1158-1164
Author(s):  
Kathryn Jack
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Public Health Policy ◽  
World Health ◽  
Opt Out ◽  
The World ◽  
Public Health Threat ◽  
Hcv Testing ◽  
Virus Testing

Background: The World Health Organization's aim to eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection as a public health threat by 2030 is dependent on testing people. HCV prevalence is higher in prisons, so to increase test uptake an ‘opt-out’ approach to blood-borne virus testing in English and Welsh prisons was introduced. Aims: This literature review examines the evidence behind the introduction of this public health policy. Methods: Four healthcare databases were searched for publications between January 2000 and February 2020 on the opt-out approach to blood-borne virus testing in prisons. Findings: Sixteen studies published between 2009 and 2019 were included. Analysis of their findings showed that an increase in HCV test uptake in prisons occurs when an opt-out approach is used in combination with additional interventions. Contextual differences between UK and US prisons may affect HCV test uptake. Conclusion: An opt-out approach to HCV testing in prisons can increase test uptake as part of a complex of interventions.

scholarly journals Hepatitis C Virus Testing Among Men With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Who Have Sex With Men: Temporal Trends and Racial/Ethnic Disparities

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Li ◽  
Carl Armon ◽  
Frank J Palella ◽  
Ellen Tedaldi ◽  
Richard M Novak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Hcv Antibody ◽  
Race Ethnicity ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Hcv Testing ◽  
Virus Testing

Abstract Background National guidelines recommend that sexually active people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH) who are men who have sex with men (MSM) be tested for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection at least annually. Hepatitis C virus testing rates vary by race/ethnicity in the general population, but limited data are available for PWH. Methods We analyzed medical records data from MSM in the HIV Outpatient Study at 9 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) clinics from January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2019. We excluded observation time after documented past or current HCV infection. We evaluated HCV antibody testing in each calendar year among HCV-seronegative MSM, and we assessed testing correlates by generalized estimating equation analyses. Results Of 1829 eligible MSM who were PWH, 1174 (64.2%) were non-Hispanic/Latino white (NHW), 402 (22.0%) non-Hispanic black (NHB), 187 (10.2%) Hispanic/Latino, and 66 (3.6%) of other race/ethnicity. Most were ≥40 years old (68.9%), privately insured (64.5%), with CD4 cell count/mm3 (CD4) ≥350 (77.0%), and with HIV viral load <200 copies/mL (76.9%). During 2011–2019, 1205 (65.9%) had ≥1 HCV antibody test and average annual HCV percentage tested was 30.3% (from 33.8% for NHB to 28.5% for NHW; P < .001). Multivariable factors positively associated (P < .05) with HCV testing included more recent HIV diagnosis, public insurance, lower CD4, prior chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, or hepatitis B virus diagnoses, and elevated liver enzyme levels, but not race/ethnicity. Conclusions Although we found no disparities by race/ethnicity in HCV testing, low overall HCV testing rates indicate suboptimal uptake of recommended HCV testing among MSM in HIV care.

scholarly journals Uncommon hepatitis C virus among migrant sex workers in Chiangmai, Thailand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sayamon Hongjaisee ◽  
Woottichai Khamduang ◽  
Patumrat Sripan ◽  
Sirinath Choyrum ◽  
Viraporn Thepbundit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Sex Workers

Perspectives on Integrated HIV and Hepatitis C Virus Testing Among Persons Entering a Northern California Jail

2018 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 214-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilson Ly ◽  
Jennifer Cocohoba ◽  
Alexander Chyorny ◽  
Jodi Halpern ◽  
Colette Auerswald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Northern California ◽  
Virus Testing

Hepatotoxicity during legacy cancer chemotherapy in patients infected with hepatitis C virus: A retrospective cohort study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Luc Szpakowski ◽  
Lue-Yen Tucker ◽  
David M Baer ◽  
Mary Pat Pauly
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Cancer Chemotherapy ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Significant Risk Factor ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Grade 3

Background: The rates and causes of significant hepatotoxicity with cancer chemotherapy (CCT) in patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) are incompletely characterized. Methods: We compared rates of grade 3 or 4 hepatotoxicity, defined as elevated transaminases, during CCT in patients who are mono-infected with HCV compared with rates in controls matched on demographics, diagnosis, and rituximab use. We excluded patients with hepatobiliary cancers, hepatitis B virus or human immunodeficiency virus infection. Hepatotoxicity was attributed to a medical cause, cancer progression, or CCT, including HCV flare. Results: Patients with HCV ( n = 196) had a higher rate of cirrhosis than the 1,130 matched controls (21.9% versus 4%; P <0.001). Their higher rate of overall hepatotoxicity (8.7% versus 4.5% of controls, P = 0.01 was due to higher rate of CCT-related hepatotoxicity (4.1% versus 1.2%, P = 0.01). On multivariable analysis, the largest risk factor for overall hepatotoxicity was cirrhosis, and the only risk factor for CCT-related hepatotoxicity was HCV infection. Among those with HCV, the only significant risk factor for hepatotoxicity was rituximab use. Hepatotoxicity caused by CCT delayed or altered treatment in only 3 HCV patients and 1 control (1.5% versus 0.1%, P = 0.01). Conclusions: Most patients with HCV can safely be treated with cancer chemotherapy. Cirrhosis and HCV infection contributed to increased hepatotoxicity in subjects on CCT. Among HCV patients, rituximab use was the major risk factor for increased hepatotoxicity. Hepatotoxicity due to CCT itself rarely altered or delayed CCT. Nonetheless, HCV-positive patients should be monitored carefully during CCT.

Testing for Hepatitis C Virus Infection Among Adults Aged ≥18 in the United States, 2013-2017

2021 ◽  
pp. 003335492110472
Author(s):  
Hope King ◽  
J. E. Soh ◽  
William W. Thompson ◽  
Jessica Rogers Brown ◽  
Karina Rapposelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Liver Disease ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
The United States ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
High School Education ◽  
Related Risk ◽  
Hcv Testing

Objective Approximately 2.4 million people in the United States are living with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The objective of our study was to describe demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, liver disease–related risk factors, and modifiable health behaviors associated with self-reported testing for HCV infection among adults. Methods Using data on adult respondents aged ≥18 from the 2013-2017 National Health Interview Survey, we summarized descriptive data on sociodemographic characteristics and liver disease–related risk factors and stratified data by educational attainment. We used weighted logistic regression to examine predictors of HCV testing. Results During the study period, 11.7% (95% CI, 11.5%-12.0%) of adults reported ever being tested for HCV infection. Testing was higher in 2017 than in 2013 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.27; 95% CI, 1.18-1.36). Adults with ≥some college were significantly more likely to report being tested (aOR = 1.60; 95% CI, 1.52-1.69) than adults with ≤high school education. Among adults with ≤high school education (but not adults with ≥some college), those who did not have health insurance were less likely than those with private health insurance (aOR = 0.78; 95% CI, 0.68-0.89) to get tested, and non–US-born adults were less likely than US-born adults to get tested (aOR = 0.77; 95% CI, 0.68-0.87). Conclusions Rates of self-reported HCV testing increased from 2013 to 2017, but testing rates remained low. Demographic characteristics, health behaviors, and liver disease–related risk factors may affect HCV testing rates among adults. HCV testing must increase to achieve hepatitis C elimination targets.

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