TY - JOUR
T1 - Engagement in the Hepatitis C care continuum among people who use drugs
AU - Tofighi, Babak
AU - Sindhu, Selena S.
AU - Lee, Joshua D.
AU - Chemi, Chemi
AU - Leonard, Noelle R.
N1 - Funding Information:
This study was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse [K23DA042140-01A1]; Center for Drug Use and HIV Research [P30DA011041]; and the NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences [UL1 TR001445]. The authors would like to thank Dr. Holly Hagan, from the Center for Drug Use and HIV Research, for her comments and revisions to this manuscript.
PY - 2020/7/3
Y1 - 2020/7/3
N2 - Background: Despite high rates of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among people who use drugs (PWUDs), access to the HCV care continuum combined with the receipt of medications for addiction treatment in primary care settings remains suboptimal. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted among adults admitted for inpatient detoxification for opioid use disorder (OUD) in New York City (n = 23) to assess barriers and facilitators with HCV prevention, screening, treatment, interactions with primary care providers, and experiences with integrated care approaches. Results: Study findings yielded six major themes related to HCV care. Major gaps persist in knowledge regarding HCV harm reduction strategies, voluntary HCV testing services, and eligibility for HCV treatment. Treatment coordination challenges reinforce the importance of enhancing linkages to HCV care in key access-points utilized by PWUDs (e.g., emergency rooms, specialty addiction treatment settings). Peer networks combined with frequent patient-physician communication were elicited as important factors in facilitating linkage to HCV care. Additional care coordination needs in primary care settings included access to integrated treatment of HCV and OUD, and administrative support for enrollment in Medicaid, subsidized housing, and access to transportation vouchers. Discussion: Strategies are needed to enhance access to harm reduction and treatment services for PWUDs, including improved clinical and administrative support in primary care, and patient education.
AB - Background: Despite high rates of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among people who use drugs (PWUDs), access to the HCV care continuum combined with the receipt of medications for addiction treatment in primary care settings remains suboptimal. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted among adults admitted for inpatient detoxification for opioid use disorder (OUD) in New York City (n = 23) to assess barriers and facilitators with HCV prevention, screening, treatment, interactions with primary care providers, and experiences with integrated care approaches. Results: Study findings yielded six major themes related to HCV care. Major gaps persist in knowledge regarding HCV harm reduction strategies, voluntary HCV testing services, and eligibility for HCV treatment. Treatment coordination challenges reinforce the importance of enhancing linkages to HCV care in key access-points utilized by PWUDs (e.g., emergency rooms, specialty addiction treatment settings). Peer networks combined with frequent patient-physician communication were elicited as important factors in facilitating linkage to HCV care. Additional care coordination needs in primary care settings included access to integrated treatment of HCV and OUD, and administrative support for enrollment in Medicaid, subsidized housing, and access to transportation vouchers. Discussion: Strategies are needed to enhance access to harm reduction and treatment services for PWUDs, including improved clinical and administrative support in primary care, and patient education.
KW - Hepatitis C
KW - drug users
KW - opioid use disorder
KW - primary health care
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U2 - 10.1080/14659891.2019.1704076
DO - 10.1080/14659891.2019.1704076
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85078604511
VL - 25
SP - 343
EP - 349
JO - Journal of Substance Use
JF - Journal of Substance Use
SN - 1465-9891
IS - 4
ER -