Network-based recruitment of people who inject drugs for hepatitis C testing and linkage to care.

ABSTRACT: Although oral direct-acting agent (DAA) therapies have the potential to reduce the burden of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, treatment uptake remains low, particularly among people who inject drugs (PWID). This study examined the feasibility of an innovative peer-based recruitment strategy to engage PWID in HCV testing and treatment. We interviewed an initial set of HCV antibody-positive PWID as 'primary indexes' to gather demographic, drug use, health information and drug network characteristics. Primary indexes were then briefly educated on HCV and its treatment and encouraged to recruit their injection drug 'network members' for HCV testing and linkage to care. Eligible network members were enrolled as 'secondary indexes' and completed the same index study procedures. In sum, 17 of 3

SUBMITTER: Falade-Nwulia O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7299737 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature