Alavi, Maryam, Grebely, Jason, Micallef, Michelle, Dunlop, Adrian J., Balcomb, Annie C., Day, Carolyn A., Treloar, Carla, Bath, Nicky, Haber, Paul S., Dore, Gregory J., and ETHOS Study Group (2013) Assessment and Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus Infection Among People Who Inject Drugs in the Opioid Substitution Setting: ETHOS Study. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 57 (S2). S62-S69.

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Abstract

Background: Access to hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment remains extremely limited among people who inject drugs (PWID). HCV assessment and treatment was evaluated through an innovative model for the provision of HCV care among PWID with chronic HCV infection.

Methods: Enhancing Treatment for Hepatitis C in Opioid Substitution Settings (ETHOS) was a prospective observational cohort. Recruitment was through 5 opioid substitution treatment (OST) clinics, 2 community health centers, and 1 Aboriginal community controlled health organization in New South Wales, Australia.

Results: Among 387 enrolled participants, mean age was 41 years, 71% were male, and 15% were of Aboriginal ethnicity. Specialist assessment was undertaken in 191 (49%) participants, and 84 (22%) commenced interferon-based treatment. In adjusted analysis, HCV specialist assessment was associated with non-Aboriginal ethnicity (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 4.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.05–7.90), no recent benzodiazepine use (AOR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.31–3.24), and non-1 HCV genotype (AOR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.32–3.43). In adjusted analysis, HCV treatment was associated with non-Aboriginal ethnicity (AOR, 4.59; 95% CI, 1.49–14.12), living with the support of family and/or friends (AOR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.25–3.71), never receiving OST (AOR, 4.40; 95% CI, 2.27–8.54), no recent methamphetamine use (AOR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.12–4.57), and non-1 HCV genotype (AOR, 3.07; 95% CI, 1.67–5.64).

Conclusions: HCV treatment uptake was relatively high among this highly marginalized population of PWID. Potentially modifiable factors associated with treatment include drug use and social support.

Item ID:	81287
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1537-6591
Keywords:	PWID; integrated care; HCV; opioid substitution; drug users
Copyright Information:	© The Author 2013. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved.
Funders:	National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
Projects and Grants:	NHMRC 568985, NHMRC Practitioner Fellowship, NHMRC Career Development Fellowship, NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Injecting Drug Users Scholarship
Date Deposited:	17 Jul 2024 02:29
FoR Codes:	32 BIOMEDICAL AND CLINICAL SCIENCES > 3202 Clinical sciences > 320211 Infectious diseases @ 100%
SEO Codes:	20 HEALTH > 2001 Clinical health > 200199 Clinical health not elsewhere classified @ 100%
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