Rapid hepatitis C virus point-of-care RNA testing and treatment at an integrated supervised consumption service in Toronto, Canada: a prospective, observational cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Despite high burden of Hepatitis C (HCV) among people who inject drugs, significant barriers to care persist. The aim of this study was to evaluate the provision of rapid, low-barrier point-of-care (POC) HCV RNA testing and linkage to care among clients of a supervised consumption service (SCS) located within a community health centre in Toronto, Canada. Secondary aims included measuring HCV RNA prevalence at baseline, HCV incidence during follow-up and exploring factors associated with HCV RNA positivity and treatment uptake.

Methods

Participants were enrolled in a prospective, observational cohort from August 13, 2018 to September 30, 2021. Those with positive HCV RNA tests were offered immediate referral to onsite treatment. Those with negative results were off

SUBMITTER: Lettner B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10300568 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature