The effect of spatial variation on linkage to care and treatment rates among patients with hepatitis C: A Canadian population-based study.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Despite significant global efforts towards eliminating hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, multiple challenges remain in achieving this goal. In this study, we assessed the impact of geographical variation on HCV diagnosis and treatment rates in Alberta, Canada.

Methods

Adults aged ≥20 years with a positive HCV antibody were identified from the provincial administrative sources from the fiscal years 2012 through 2017. To assess the differences across Alberta's rural-urban continuum, high-resolution spatial analyses using global and local spatial autocorrelation were applied to the HCV age- and sex-standardized prevalence rate at the sub-local geographic area level. We compared and tested differences in HCV RNA tests, HCV RNA positivity rates, and HCV treatment st

SUBMITTER: Gill S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12269151 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature