A26 TREATMENT OUTCOMES OF HCV-INFECTED PATIENS IDENTIFIED THROUGH THE COMMUNITY POP-UP CLINIC
BACKGROUND: In Canada, it is estimated that over 300,000 individuals are infected with HCV, with 60,000 residing in British Columbia. The prevalence of infection on Vancouver’s Downtown East Side (DTES) may exceed 70%, with relatively few individuals having been treated to date. This may relate to a...
| Published in: | Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology |
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
| Format: | Text |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Oxford University Press
2018
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6507667/ https://doi.org/10.1093/jcag/gwy008.027 |
| Summary: | BACKGROUND: In Canada, it is estimated that over 300,000 individuals are infected with HCV, with 60,000 residing in British Columbia. The prevalence of infection on Vancouver’s Downtown East Side (DTES) may exceed 70%, with relatively few individuals having been treated to date. This may relate to a lack of engagement in medical care. We developed a novel model of intervention, the Community Pop-up Clinics (CPC) as a tool to enhance access to medical care and HCV therapy in this vulnerable population. AIMS: We aim to further understand the treatment outcomes of HCV infected individuals identified through this initiative. METHODS: Participants were recruited at CPCs held at several community centres. OraQuick® HCV Rapid Antibody and HIV Rapid Antibody point-of-care testing was offered. Participants identified as HCV positive were provided the opportunity to engage in care at a multidisciplinary clinic. A questionnaire was administered to collect demographic information, HCV disease knowledge, and data regarding barriers to receiving healthcare. A $10 gift-card incentive was provided for participants who completed the demographic questionnaire and testing. RESULTS: A total of 2378 participants (mean age 49.9 years, 93.4% male) were tested for HCV infection, with 658 (27.7%) infected with HCV including 51 (7.7%) co-infected with HIV. Among HCV infected participants, 157 (27.6%) were linked to care (76% male, 30% First Nations, 28% homeless, 78% recent PWID), 26 (16.9%) started treatment for HCV infection, 19 (73%) completed treatment, and 16 (84.2%) achieved sustained virologic response (SVR). Groups under-represented among those engaged in care include: females (7%), lack of knowledge about how to access health care (9%), homeless (9%), perceived their health status as good (14%), First Nations (15%). CONCLUSIONS: Our CPC approach in a neighborhood with HCV prevalence of 70% has successfully identified over 600 HCV-infected individuals and engaged a significant proportion of them in care. Additional efforts must ... |
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