Hepatitis C outreach project and cross-sectional epidemiology in high-risk populations in Trondheim, Norway

Hepatitis C outreach project and cross-sectional epidemiology in high-risk populations in Trondheim, Norway

Background: Hepatitis C is highly prevalent among people who use drugs (PWUD), and the hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic is less characterised in Norway. The aims of the study were to assess the prevalence and treatment willingness in high-risk populations by reaching out to frequently visited sites...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Therapeutic advances in infectious disease Vol. 8
Main Authors: Hannula, Raisa, Söderholm, Jonas, Svendsen, Therese, Skaland, Maja, Nordbø, Svein A., Steinum, Harald, Damås, Jan K.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: London, England SAGE Publications 2021
Sage Publications Ltd
SAGE Publishing
Subjects:
Drug abuse
Epidemiology
Health behavior
Health risks
Health services utilization
Hepatitis
Hepatitis C
Immigrants
Infections Associated with Substance Use and Related Behaviors
Opioids
Patients
Prisoners
Refugees
Risk groups
Norway
epidemiology
prevalence
outreach
hepatitis C virus
high-risk populations
prisoners
people who use drugs
community
immigrants
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Summary:Background: Hepatitis C is highly prevalent among people who use drugs (PWUD), and the hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic is less characterised in Norway. The aims of the study were to assess the prevalence and treatment willingness in high-risk populations by reaching out to frequently visited sites for high-risk populations. Methods: Individuals from high-risk populations were included from September 2015 to March 2017. Two dedicated study nurses frequently visited the local opioid substitution clinic, outpatient clinics, PWUD day centres, local prison, and refugee centre in Trondheim, Norway. Demographic data, risk behaviour, and clinical symptoms were obtained by study questionnaire. Subjects with anti-HCV+ rapid test were subsequently tested for HCV RNA and genotyped. Viraemic patients were offered referral for HCV treatment evaluation. Results: A total of 381 participants were included in the study: 52 immigrants, 62 prisoners, and 267 PWUD. The anti-HCV prevalence rates were 0% (n = 0) in immigrants, 40% (n = 25) in prisoners, and 61% (n = 164) in PWUD, with 24% (n = 15) of prisoners and 42% (n = 108) of PWUD being viraemic. Of those qualifying for treatment (n = 31), 30 wished to be evaluated. Conclusion: This study showed high HCV prevalence in prisoners and PWUD and that infected high-risk patients were interested in treatment evaluation.
ISSN:2049-9361
2049-937X
DOI:10.1177/20499361211053929