TY - JOUR
T1 - Public Health Clinic–Based Hepatitis C Treatment
AU - Rosecrans, Amanda M.
AU - Cheedalla, Aneesha
AU - Rives, Sarah T.
AU - Scotti, Lisa A.
AU - Harris, Robert E.
AU - Greenbaum, Adena H.
AU - Irvin, Risha R.
AU - Ntiri-Reid, Boatemaa A.
AU - Brown, Holly T.
AU - Alston, Karen E.
AU - Smith, Jaeson A.
AU - Page, Kathleen R.
AU - Falade-Nwulia, Oluwaseun O.
PY - 2020/9
Y1 - 2020/9
N2 - Introduction: The availability of safe, effective treatments for hepatitis C virus infection has led to a call for the elimination of hepatitis C, but barriers to care persist. Methods: In July 2015, the Baltimore City Health Department sexual health clinics began on-site hepatitis C virus treatment. Investigators conducted a retrospective evaluation of the first 2.5 years of this program. Data were extracted from the medical record through June 2019, and data analysis was completed in September 2019. Results: Between July 2015 and December 2017, a total of 560 patients infected with hepatitis C virus accessed care at the Baltimore City Health Department sexual health clinics. Of these patients, 423 (75.5%) were scheduled for hepatitis C virus evaluation at the clinics, 347 (62.0%) attended their evaluation appointment, 266 (47.5%) were prescribed treatment, 227 (40.5%) initiated treatment, and 199 (35.5%) achieved sustained virologic response. Older age was independently associated with hepatitis C virus evaluation appointment attendance (aged 40–59 years: AOR=3.64, 95% CI=1.88, 7.06; aged ≥60 years: AOR=5.61, 95% CI=2.58, 12.21) compared with those aged 20–39 years. Among those who attended hepatitis C virus evaluation appointments, advanced liver disease was independently and positively associated with treatment initiation (AOR=11.89, 95% CI=6.35, 22.25). Conversely, illicit substance use in the past 12 months was negatively associated with hepatitis C virus treatment initiation (AOR=0.49, 95% CI=0.25, 0.96). Conclusions: The integration of hepatitis C virus testing and on-site treatment in public sexual health clinics is an innovative approach to improve access to hepatitis C virus treatment for medically underserved populations.
AB - Introduction: The availability of safe, effective treatments for hepatitis C virus infection has led to a call for the elimination of hepatitis C, but barriers to care persist. Methods: In July 2015, the Baltimore City Health Department sexual health clinics began on-site hepatitis C virus treatment. Investigators conducted a retrospective evaluation of the first 2.5 years of this program. Data were extracted from the medical record through June 2019, and data analysis was completed in September 2019. Results: Between July 2015 and December 2017, a total of 560 patients infected with hepatitis C virus accessed care at the Baltimore City Health Department sexual health clinics. Of these patients, 423 (75.5%) were scheduled for hepatitis C virus evaluation at the clinics, 347 (62.0%) attended their evaluation appointment, 266 (47.5%) were prescribed treatment, 227 (40.5%) initiated treatment, and 199 (35.5%) achieved sustained virologic response. Older age was independently associated with hepatitis C virus evaluation appointment attendance (aged 40–59 years: AOR=3.64, 95% CI=1.88, 7.06; aged ≥60 years: AOR=5.61, 95% CI=2.58, 12.21) compared with those aged 20–39 years. Among those who attended hepatitis C virus evaluation appointments, advanced liver disease was independently and positively associated with treatment initiation (AOR=11.89, 95% CI=6.35, 22.25). Conversely, illicit substance use in the past 12 months was negatively associated with hepatitis C virus treatment initiation (AOR=0.49, 95% CI=0.25, 0.96). Conclusions: The integration of hepatitis C virus testing and on-site treatment in public sexual health clinics is an innovative approach to improve access to hepatitis C virus treatment for medically underserved populations.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.amepre.2020.03.006
DO - 10.1016/j.amepre.2020.03.006
M3 - Article
C2 - 32430222
AN - SCOPUS:85085106374
VL - 59
SP - 420
EP - 427
JO - American Journal of Preventive Medicine
JF - American Journal of Preventive Medicine
SN - 0749-3797
IS - 3
ER -