Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #100789

Mary Jo Trepka, MD, MSPH¹, Guoyan Zhang, MD, MPH², Fermin Leguen, MD, MPH², Robert Malow, PhD³, and Mario De La Rosa, PhD⁴. (1) Robert Stempel School of Public Health, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, HLSII 595, Miami, FL 33199, (2) Office of Epidemiology and Disease Control, Miami-Dade County Health Department, 8600 NW 17th Street, Miami, FL 33126, (3) Robert Stempel School of Public Health/ AIDS Prevention Program, Florida International University, 3000 N.E. 151 Street, ACI-260, North Miami, FL 33181, 305-919-4200, malowr@fiu.edu, (4) School of Social Work, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, PCA 354B, Miami, FL 33199

Background: People with chronic hepatitis C develop cirrhosis slowly providing an opportunity for secondary prevention. This pilot study was designed to describe early harms and benefits of hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening among people who test anti-HCV positive.

Methods: Hepatitis screening program records of clients testing anti-HCV positive between 4/1/01 and 10/31/03 at a health department-based program were abstracted to obtain risk factor, demographic, and immunization information. Eligible clients were interviewed over the phone using a standardized questionnaire, which included items pertaining to medical evaluation, behaviors to prevent liver damage and HCV transmission, and aversive consequences.

Results: According to the program′s records, 109 of the 269 eligible clients were susceptible to hepatitis A or B, and 54 (50%) completed the hepatitis A or B vaccination series. Of the 269 clients, 56 (21%) were reached by phone, and 44 (79%) consented to the interview. Of these, 31 (70%) saw a physician regarding the test result. Among the 33 prior drinkers, 28 (85%) reported reducing alcohol use. All interviewed clients reported at least one positive step to protect their liver or prevent transmission to others. However, 51% reported at least one harm related to knowing their hepatitis C status, most commonly difficulty obtaining health insurance. Nevertheless, 86% reported that they were glad that they were tested.

Conclusions: Results from this pilot study suggest that most clients who tested anti-HCV positive undertook at least one positive action to protect their livers, and most reported satisfaction with their decision to be tested.

Learning Objectives:

The participant will be able to
• Articulate benefits of decreasing alcohol use to persons with chronic hepatitis C.
• List potential benefits and harms of hepatitis C screening.
• Describe benefits and harms of hepatitis C screening identified in a health department screening program.

Keywords: Hepatitis C, Alcohol Use

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.