Factors associated with phylogenetic clustering of hepatitis C among people who inject drugs in Baltimore.

Background: The availability of effective, oral direct acting antivirals (DAAs) for hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment has put elimination of HCV as a public health challenge within reach. However, little is known about the characteristics of transmission networks of people who inject drugs (PWID).

Methods: Sequencing of a segment of the HCV genome was performed on samples collected from a community-based cohort of PWID between August 2005 and December 2016.

Perceptions of network based recruitment for hepatitis C testing and treatment among persons who inject drugs: a qualitative exploration.

Background: Social network interventions that take advantage of existing individual and group relationships may help overcome the significant patient, provider, and system level barriers that contribute to low hepatitis C Virus (HCV) treatment uptake among people who inject drugs (PWID).

Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 HCV antibody positive PWID (15 male, 5 female) in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. We utilized thematic analysis and employed both inductive and deductive coding techniques to assess perceptions of barriers and facilitators of social network interventions for HCV testing, linkage to care, and treatment among PWID.

Hepatitis C treatment uptake among people who inject drugs in the oral direct-acting antiviral era.

Background: Increased uptake of hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment among people who inject drugs (PWID) will be critical to achieve HCV elimination goals. There are limited data on HCV treatment uptake among PWID recruited from community-based settings in the HCV direct-acting antiviral (DAA) era.

Methods: We analysed data from PWID with HCV newly recruited into the Baltimore, Maryland-based AIDS Linked to the IntraVenous Experience (ALIVE) cohort between 2015 and 2018.

Individual and network factors associated with HCV treatment uptake among people who inject drugs.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment uptake among people who inject drugs (PWID), a population with disproportionately high rates of HCV, remains low. Peers have been shown to positively impact a broad range of health outcomes for PWID. There is, however, limited data on the impact of PWID social network members on HCV treatment.