Feasibility, effectiveness and cost of a decentralized HCV care model among the general population in Delhi, India.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

India has a significant burden of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and has committed to achieving national elimination by 2030. This will require a substantial scale-up in testing and treatment. The "HEAD-Start Project Delhi" aimed to enhance HCV diagnosis and treatment pathways among the general population.

Methods

A prospective study was conducted at 5 district hospitals (Arm 1: one-stop shop), 15 polyclinics (Arm 2: referral for viral load (VL) testing and treatment) and 62 screening camps (Arm 3: referral for treatment). HCV prevalence, retention in the HCV care cascade, and turn-around time were measured.

Results

Between January and September 2019, 37 425 participants were screened for HCV. The median (IQR) age of participants was 35 (26-48)

SUBMITTER: Markby J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9299915 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature