Dataset Information

Identifying barriers and facilitators of the inclusion of pregnant individuals in hepatitis C treatment programs in the United States.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The rising prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and the availability of direct acting antivirals for HCV treatment has prompted a public health goal of HCV eradication. Despite the availability of treatment for HCV, treatment programs have generally excluded pregnant individuals. Our objective was to query patients and clinicians to identify barriers to including pregnant individuals in HCV treatment programs.

Methods and findings

This qualitative investigation included obstetricians and previously/currently pregnant individuals with HCV. Participants completed interviews regarding knowledge of and attitudes towards HCV treatment and perceived barriers to treatment during pregnancy. Data were analyzed using the constant comparative method. Obstetricians (N = 18) and patients (N = 21) described concerns about equity, access, and cost. Both expressed uncertainty about safety and confirmed a need for clinician education. Obstetricians emphasized the lack of professional guidelines. Although some clinicians expressed concern about patient adherence and engagement, patients were largely desirous of treatment; both groups identified potential benefits of antenatal treatment.

Conclusions

Both patients and obstetricians were generally receptive to HCV treatment in pregnancy and recognized pregnancy as an important window of opportunity for treatment. Our findings suggest the need for further research on maternal-fetal safety of HCV treatment as well as on interventions to ensure fair and appropriate access to HCV treatment for pregnant individuals.

SUBMITTER: Yee LM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9674123 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Identifying barriers and facilitators of the inclusion of pregnant individuals in hepatitis C treatment programs in the United States.

Yee Lynn M LM Shah Seema K SK Grobman William A WA Labellarte Patricia Z PZ Barrera Leonardo L Jhaveri Ravi R

PloS one 20221118 11

<h4>Background</h4>The rising prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and the availability of direct acting antivirals for HCV treatment has prompted a public health goal of HCV eradication. Despite the availability of treatment for HCV, treatment programs have generally excluded pregnant individuals. Our objective was to query patients and clinicians to identify barriers to including pregnant individuals in HCV treatment programs.<h4>Methods and findings</h4>This qualitative investigati ...[more]

PMID: 36399489

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Dataset Information

Identifying barriers and facilitators of the inclusion of pregnant individuals in hepatitis C treatment programs in the United States.

Background

Methods and findings

Conclusions

Publications

Identifying barriers and facilitators of the inclusion of pregnant individuals in hepatitis C treatment programs in the United States.

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