Publications by authors named "Rachel Coutts"

Background: Worse outcomes from invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) have been reported among those coinfected with hepatitis C. We aimed to establish if IPD notification rates are higher among people notified with markers of hepatitis C virus infection than the general population.

Methods: IPD cases notified in Victoria, Australia, from July 2001-December 2017 were linked with hepatitis C cases (diagnosed by serology or PCR testing) notified from January 1991-December 2017.

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Objective: To assess the impact of an enhanced viral hepatitis surveillance program on data completeness and on epidemiological assessment of affected populations.

Methods: Notified cases of non-acute hepatitis B and C were analysed to determine demographic characteristics and risk factors during the period prior to July 2015-June 2016, and during enhanced surveillance of the period July 2016-June 2017, during which time doctors were contacted for information about new diagnoses.

Results: During the enhanced period, completeness for country of birth and Indigenous status doubled for both hepatitis B and hepatitis C, from 18-37% to 48-65%.

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