OBJECTIVES: To screen, counsel and offer hepatitis A and B vaccination for subjects at high risk for hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV, and determine any relationship between risk factors and HCV positivity. DESIGN AND SAMPLE: A descriptive correlational design. We correlated risk factors and HCV positivity and measured vaccination completion rates. Two hundred and two unduplicated subjects in 4 locations in Western Massachusetts: a walk in substance abuse clinic, a homeless shelter, a county jail, and a community corrections facility. MEASURES: Demographic data and a standard HCV risk- screening survey were used. RESULTS: Significantly higher rates of HCV were found in subjects who were currently using injection drugs (83.3% HCV positive, χ2(1) = 20.85, p<.001), who had a history of sharing needles for drug use (75% HCV positive χ(2) (1)=83.20, p<.001), or a history of receiving treatment for drug abuse/alcoholism (38.4% HCV positive χ2(1) = 12.14, p<.001). Vaccination completion ranged by setting between 18% and 38%. CONCLUSIONS: Targeted outreach to hard to reach groups is effective in providing access for those at high risk for HIV and HCV infection. A mobile outreach strategy can focus needed resources for a variety of groups in a community.
OBJECTIVES: To screen, counsel and offer hepatitis A and B vaccination for subjects at high risk for hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV, and determine any relationship between risk factors and HCV positivity. DESIGN AND SAMPLE: A descriptive correlational design. We correlated risk factors and HCV positivity and measured vaccination completion rates. Two hundred and two unduplicated subjects in 4 locations in Western Massachusetts: a walk in substance abuse clinic, a homeless shelter, a county jail, and a community corrections facility. MEASURES: Demographic data and a standard HCV risk- screening survey were used. RESULTS: Significantly higher rates of HCV were found in subjects who were currently using injection drugs (83.3% HCV positive, χ2(1) = 20.85, p<.001), who had a history of sharing needles for drug use (75% HCV positive χ(2) (1)=83.20, p<.001), or a history of receiving treatment for drug abuse/alcoholism (38.4% HCV positive χ2(1) = 12.14, p<.001). Vaccination completion ranged by setting between 18% and 38%. CONCLUSIONS: Targeted outreach to hard to reach groups is effective in providing access for those at high risk for HIV and HCV infection. A mobile outreach strategy can focus needed resources for a variety of groups in a community.
Authors: L Cieply; R Simmons; S Ijaz; E Kara; A Rodger; W Rosenberg; A McGuinness; J L Mbisa; J Ledesma; N Ohemeng-Kumi; S Dicks; H Potts; S Lattimore; S Mandal Journal: Epidemiol Infect Date: 2019-01 Impact factor: 2.451
Authors: G Binepal; P Agarwal; N Kaur; B Singh; V Bhagat; R P Verma; S Satyanarayana; J E Oeltmann; P K Moonan Journal: Public Health Action Date: 2015-12-21