Awareness of HCV Status and Preferences for Testing and Treatment among People with Recent Injecting Drug Use at a Peer-Led Needle and Syringe Program: The TEMPO Pilot Study.

Conway, A; Read, P; Gilliver, R; McNaughton, T; Valerio, H; Cunningham, EB; Henderson, C; Hadlow, B; Molloy, K; Doab, A; Tillakeratne, S; Pepolim, L; Harrod, ME; Dore, GJ; Grebely, J

Awareness of HCV Status and Preferences for Testing and Treatment among People with Recent Injecting Drug Use at a Peer-Led Needle and Syringe Program: The TEMPO Pilot Study.

Conway, A Read, P Gilliver, R McNaughton, T Valerio, H Cunningham, EB Henderson, C Hadlow, B Molloy, K Doab, A

Tillakeratne, S Pepolim, L Harrod, ME Dore, GJ Grebely, J

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Publisher:: MDPI
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Viruses, 2022, 14, (11), pp. 2463
Issue Date:: 2022-11-07

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Conway, A
dc.contributor.author	Read, P
dc.contributor.author	Gilliver, R
dc.contributor.author	McNaughton, T
dc.contributor.author	Valerio, H
dc.contributor.author	Cunningham, EB
dc.contributor.author	Henderson, C
dc.contributor.author	Hadlow, B
dc.contributor.author	Molloy, K
dc.contributor.author	Doab, A https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8204-2217
dc.contributor.author	Tillakeratne, S
dc.contributor.author	Pepolim, L
dc.contributor.author	Harrod, ME
dc.contributor.author	Dore, GJ
dc.contributor.author	Grebely, J
dc.date.accessioned	2023-02-20T00:01:23Z
dc.date.available	2022-11-02
dc.date.available	2023-02-20T00:01:23Z
dc.date.issued	2022-11-07
dc.identifier.citation	Viruses, 2022, 14, (11), pp. 2463
dc.identifier.issn	1999-4915
dc.identifier.issn	1999-4915
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/166254
dc.description.abstract	BACKGROUND: New technologies and therapies allow the possibility of a single-visit test and treat model for hepatitis C virus (HCV), addressing some of the barriers to care faced by people who inject drugs. METHODS: The TEMPO Pilot Study was an interventional cohort study evaluating a single-visit test and treat intervention among people with recent injecting drug use at a one peer-led needle and syringe program (NSP) in Sydney, Australia between September 2019 and February 2021. This analysis evaluated awareness of HCV status and agreement of self-report with HCV RNA test results. The analysis also assessed acceptability of: modality of result delivery, modality of blood sampling, site of treatment, and duration of treatment. RESULTS: Among 101 participants (median age 43; 31% female), 100 had a valid HCV RNA test result and 27% (27/100) were HCV RNA detectable. Overall, 65% (65/100) were aware of their status. Among people with a positive HCV RNA result, 48% (13/27) were aware of their status. People preferred same-day HCV test results (95%, 96/101), and preferred to receive results in person (69%, 70/101). Receiving treatment at an NSP was acceptable (100%, 101/101) and 78% (79/101) were willing to discuss their health with a peer NSP worker. CONCLUSION: Half of people with current HCV infection were aware of their status. The high acceptability of simplified testing and treatment pathways delivered at NSPs indicates that this is an appropriate strategy to improve HCV awareness and treatment uptake in this population.
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	MDPI
dc.relation.ispartof	Viruses
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.3390/v14112463
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	0605 Microbiology
dc.subject.mesh	Adult
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Male
dc.subject.mesh	Cohort Studies
dc.subject.mesh	Hepacivirus
dc.subject.mesh	Hepatitis C
dc.subject.mesh	Pilot Projects
dc.subject.mesh	Substance Abuse, Intravenous
dc.subject.mesh	Substance-Related Disorders
dc.subject.mesh	Syringes
dc.subject.mesh	RNA, Viral
dc.subject.mesh	Adult
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Male
dc.subject.mesh	Cohort Studies
dc.subject.mesh	Hepacivirus
dc.subject.mesh	Hepatitis C
dc.subject.mesh	Pilot Projects
dc.subject.mesh	Substance Abuse, Intravenous
dc.subject.mesh	Substance-Related Disorders
dc.subject.mesh	Syringes
dc.subject.mesh	RNA, Viral
dc.title	Awareness of HCV Status and Preferences for Testing and Treatment among People with Recent Injecting Drug Use at a Peer-Led Needle and Syringe Program: The TEMPO Pilot Study.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	14
utslib.location.activity	Switzerland
utslib.for	0605 Microbiology
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2023-02-20T00:01:21Z
pubs.issue	11
pubs.publication-status	Published online
pubs.volume	14
utslib.citation.issue	11

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: New technologies and therapies allow the possibility of a single-visit test and treat model for hepatitis C virus (HCV), addressing some of the barriers to care faced by people who inject drugs. METHODS: The TEMPO Pilot Study was an interventional cohort study evaluating a single-visit test and treat intervention among people with recent injecting drug use at a one peer-led needle and syringe program (NSP) in Sydney, Australia between September 2019 and February 2021. This analysis evaluated awareness of HCV status and agreement of self-report with HCV RNA test results. The analysis also assessed acceptability of: modality of result delivery, modality of blood sampling, site of treatment, and duration of treatment. RESULTS: Among 101 participants (median age 43; 31% female), 100 had a valid HCV RNA test result and 27% (27/100) were HCV RNA detectable. Overall, 65% (65/100) were aware of their status. Among people with a positive HCV RNA result, 48% (13/27) were aware of their status. People preferred same-day HCV test results (95%, 96/101), and preferred to receive results in person (69%, 70/101). Receiving treatment at an NSP was acceptable (100%, 101/101) and 78% (79/101) were willing to discuss their health with a peer NSP worker. CONCLUSION: Half of people with current HCV infection were aware of their status. The high acceptability of simplified testing and treatment pathways delivered at NSPs indicates that this is an appropriate strategy to improve HCV awareness and treatment uptake in this population.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/166254