Door-to-door hepatitis C screening in Georgia: An innovative model to increase testing and linkage to care.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Georgia has a high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In 2015 a national HCV elimination program was launched providing free access to screening and treatment. To achieve elimination, innovative approaches to increase screening coverage and linkage to care are needed. This study estimates feasibility, acceptability, and outcomes of the door-to-door pilot HCV testing program in three cities.

Methods

Households were approached by system random sampling and all members were invited for study participation. Researchers used a detailed guide for conducting door-to-door testing and served as case navigators to link anti-HCV-positive individuals to care.

Results

Testing acceptance rate was high. In total 4804 individuals were tested and 48 (1.0%) wer

SUBMITTER: Butsashvili M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10068592 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature