Hepatitis C Virus Prevalence, Medical Status Awareness and Treatment Engagement among Homeless People Who use Drugs: Results of a Street Outreach Study

Lasmanovich, Rinat; Shaked, Or; Sivan, Ayelet; Barak, Idan; Nahari, Mor; Mor, Orna; Katchman, Helena

doi:10.1177/11782218221095871

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Importantly, it was discovered there was startlingly limited access to care in this cohort despite relatively high awareness of HCV status. To stop the spread of HCV, these findings inspire new therapeutic strategies aimed at enhancing accessibility and conformity among homeless PWUDs [21].…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Awareness and Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C in Rural Areas of Lahore, Pakistan

Sohail¹

2023

Health and Educational Success - Recent Perspectives [Working Title]

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To evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of participating entities toward hepatitis B and C to know about prevalence, literacy rate, and socioeconomic status of community people. A baseline survey was conducted to study the awareness, knowledge, and screening in a randomly selected population in different communities. Among common people of age above 16 years, a survey was conducted by filling out data collection forms for 560 individuals according to the plan of work designed. From the data collected, results were keenly analyzed, organized, and arranged in the form of tables for the comparison between the observed awareness about the disease and its screening. The prevalence of hepatitis B was found to be 18 (3.2%), hepatitis C 104 (18.6%), and both positive 17 (3%). It showed the high prevalence of hepatitis C. Out of 560 participants, 275 people (49.1%) knew the term hepatitis. Two hundred twenty-two (39.6%) participants did not know about the signs and symptoms of hepatitis. The descriptive statistics showed that 451 (80.5%) did not know the availability of vaccination against hepatitis B. Three hundred and thirty-six (60%) respondents strongly agreed that hepatitis can cause death. Out of 560 participants, 322 people (57.5%) strongly agreed that blood transfusion from hepatitis patients is the cause of hepatitis. Three hundred and seventy-three (66.6%) participants said that they use filtered plant water. In addition, 480 participants (85.7%) never vaccinated themselves. Chi-square test result (p = 0.004) showed a significant relation in the practice of male and female participants of study. A significant value of chi-square in practice domain of KAP was seen in educational qualification (p = 0.021) with undergraduates having better practice among all other levels of qualification. Current study concluded that people are unaware of the causes, prevention, and treatment of hepatitis B and C. People who are with positive signs and symptoms of hepatitis are reluctant to its long-term treatment. Government must arrange awareness campaigns and screening camps in communities to educate people about the importance of prevention and treatment of the disease.

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Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Awareness and Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C in Rural Areas of Lahore, Pakistan

Sohail¹

2023

Health and Educational Success - Recent Perspectives [Working Title]

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“…2 Over 58 million persons are chronically infected with HCV around the globe 3,4 around 1.5 million persons worldwide are recently infected with Hepatitis C. 5 The frequency of Hepatitis in general community was assessed at 1.0%. 6…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hepatitis C virus: Its prevalence, risk factors and genotype distribution in Pakistan

et al. 2022

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Hepatitis C is a dangerous liver disease transmitted by Hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV constitutes an important health issue in Pakistan. In Pakistani setting HCV is found frequently and is recognized as an alarming health problem. In this cross sectional study we reviewed published data regarding the seroprevalence of hepatitis C in general community, blood donors and pregnant females and risk factors linked with its occurrence in Pakistan. Data retrieved from163 studies published from 2001 to 2022 was utilized and weighted mean was calculated. Data of 1,875,232 individuals was collected and arranged into three groups, depending upon the population type such as (1) general population, (2) pregnant women, (3) blood donors. General population (765,426) and blood donors (973,260) formed the most of population. Mean Hepatitis C virus prevalence in general public and blood donors was 16.47% and 8.2% respectively. In pregnant females (136,546) the mean frequency was 9.3%. This study exhibits that the frequency of Hepatitis C in general population, pregnant females and blood donors groups was 11.32%. The data suggested that risks factors for transmitting HCV infection in Pakistan include unsterilized needle use, blood transfusions, shaving by barbers, lack of trained staff, needle stick injuries, injection drug users, household contacts/spousal transmission, unsterilized dental and surgical Instruments, improper disposal of hospital waste, poor infra-structure and others. The frequency of HCV infection is distressing in Pakistan. Health education and awareness programs are needed for decreasing Hepatitis C infection in Pakistan. The data necessitate the implementation of preventive and remedial approaches to decrease the disease load and mortality in Pakistan.

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Prevalence of HCV Infection Among People Experiencing Homelessness in Madrid, Spain

Ryan,

Valencia,

Sepúlveda-Crespo

et al. 2024

JAMA Netw Open

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ImportanceHepatitis C virus (HCV) microelimination aims to detect and treat hidden infections, especially in at-risk groups, like people experiencing homelessness (PEH) with alcohol or drug use disorders. Point-of-care HCV RNA testing and peer support workers are crucial for identifying and preventing HCV infection among marginalized populations, contributing to overall elimination goals.ObjectiveTo assess risk factors, prevalence, and trends of active HCV infection among PEH in Madrid, Spain (2019-2023).Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis cross-sectional study was conducted between 2019 and 2023 in PEH, defined as people who lacked a fixed, regular, and adequate night residence, screened on the street or in homeless shelters via mobile unit using rapid HCV antibody testing, followed by HCV-RNA testing in Madrid, Spain. Data were analyzed from January to June 2024.Main Outcomes and MeasuresActive HCV infection among PEH was the main outcome. Risk factors analyzed included being born outside of Spain, alcohol misuse, lacking financial income, benzodiazepine use, injection drug use (IDU; including nonactive IDU and active IDU within the last year), opioid substitution therapy participation, and sexual behavior patterns. Data were analyzed using logistic regression. P values were adjusted for multiple testing using the false discovery rate (q-values).ResultsA total of 4741 individuals were screened for HCV infection, of whom 2709 (mean [SD] age, 42.2 [12.7]; 1953 [72.2%] men) were PEH and included in analysis. A total of 363 PEH (13.4%) had test results positive for HCV antibodies, of whom 172 (47.4%) had test results positive for HCV-RNA, and 148 of these (91.9%) started HCV treatment. Overall, active HCV infection prevalence was 6.3%, and the main risk factors associated with active HCV infection included IDU, encompassing both nonactive IDU (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 10.9; 95% CI, 6.1-19.4; q &lt; .001) and active IDU in the last year (aOR, 27.0; 95% CI, 15.2-48.0; q &lt; .001); a lack of financial income (aOR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1-2.9; q = .03); and alcohol misuse (aOR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.3-2.6; q = .008). There was a significant decrease between 2019 and 2023 in active HCV infection prevalence across the entire population, from 7.2% to 3.4% (P = .04).Conclusions and RelevanceIn this cross-sectional study of PEH in Madrid, IDU, lack of income, and alcohol misuse were primary risk factors associated with HCV infection. The significant decline in HCV rates observed across all risk groups during the study period suggests preventive policies were effective in reducing HCV prevalence among the homeless population.

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Hepatitis C Virus Prevalence, Medical Status Awareness and Treatment Engagement among Homeless People Who use Drugs: Results of a Street Outreach Study

Cited by 4 publications

References 27 publications

Awareness and Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C in Rural Areas of Lahore, Pakistan

Awareness and Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C in Rural Areas of Lahore, Pakistan

Hepatitis C virus: Its prevalence, risk factors and genotype distribution in Pakistan

Prevalence of HCV Infection Among People Experiencing Homelessness in Madrid, Spain

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