Hepatitis C is a major pubic health concern with an estimated 1.8 % prevalence in the United States. Injection drug use is currently the most common risk factor for new infection. This study assessed the effectiveness of conducting an outreach-screening program for hepatitis C virus (HCV) exposure in three drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities in a large city of West Central Florida. Risk assessment questionnaires were administered to fifty-eight (58) individuals followed by testing for HCV antibody (anti-HCV) which included pre and post-test counseling. Questionnaire responses were analyzed by descriptive statistics, c2,and cross-tabulation. Among the participants screened, 44 (75.9%) had at least one risk factor for HCV. However, only 4 (9.1%) of these individuals had been previously tested for this disease. Of the 11 (19%) who tested positive for anti-HCV, 100% (p < .0001) reported a history of injection drug use. Other risk factors reported this group included snorting drugs and sharing straws (72.7%), blood exposure (27.3%), and receiving blood products before July 1992 (18.2%) (p > .05 in all cases). Public health departments must provide screening and outreach in high-risk populations in order to reduce primary and secondary transmission of HCV. These results emphasize the importance of targeting drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities for HCV screening, outreach and education. Although most participants were at high-risk for HCV (76%) and anti-HCV prevalence was significant (19%), most (93%) had never been screened for this disease.
Learning Objectives: 1. Identify high-risk facilities to conduct hepatitis C screening and outreach. 2. Recognize the public health importance of targeting individuals with a history of injection drug use for HCV screening and education in order to prevent primary and secondary transmission. 3. Prioritize public health department initiatives to decrease incidence of HCV.
Keywords: Hepatitis C, Injection Drug Users
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.