Introduction: The availability of safe, effective treatments for hepatitis C virus infection has led to a call for the elimination of hepatitis C, but barriers to care persist.
Methods: In July 2015, the Baltimore City Health Department sexual health clinics began on-site hepatitis C virus treatment. Investigators conducted a retrospective evaluation of the first 2.5 years of this program. Data were extracted from the medical record through June 2019, and data analysis was completed in September 2019.
Results: Between July 2015 and December 2017, a total of 560 patients infected with hepatitis C virus accessed care at the Baltimore City Health Department sexual health clinics. Of these patients, 423 (75.5%) were scheduled for hepatitis C virus evaluation at the clinics, 347 (62.0%) attended their evaluation appointment, 266 (47.5%) were prescribed treatment, 227 (40.5%) initiated treatment, and 199 (35.5%) achieved sustained virologic response. Older age was independently associated with hepatitis C virus evaluation appointment attendance (aged 40-59 years: AOR=3.64, 95% CI=1.88, 7.06; aged ≥60 years: AOR=5.61, 95% CI=2.58, 12.21) compared with those aged 20-39 years. Among those who attended hepatitis C virus evaluation appointments, advanced liver disease was independently and positively associated with treatment initiation (AOR=11.89, 95% CI=6.35, 22.25). Conversely, illicit substance use in the past 12 months was negatively associated with hepatitis C virus treatment initiation (AOR=0.49, 95% CI=0.25, 0.96).
Conclusions: The integration of hepatitis C virus testing and on-site treatment in public sexual health clinics is an innovative approach to improve access to hepatitis C virus treatment for medically underserved populations.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2020.03.006 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Serological and Molecular Characterization of the Hepatitis B Virus in Blood Donors in Maputo City, Mozambique.
Viruses
January 2025
Instituto Nacional de Saúde of Mozambique, EN1, Bairro da Vila, Marracuene 3943, Mozambique.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major public health concern responsible for hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. In Mozambique, HBsAg prevalence is high and endemic, and despite the strategies to mitigate the spread of the disease, the HCC incidence is still high and one of the highest in the world. There is still limited data on the serological profile and molecular epidemiology of HBV in Mozambique given the burden of this disease.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEffect of Hepatitis E Virus on the Male Reproductive System: A Review of Current Evidence.
Viruses
January 2025
Department of Biomedical & Nutritional Sciences, Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854, USA.
Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) is a globally widespread pathogen that causes acute hepatitis infection. Beyond hepatic pathogenesis, HEV has been proven to cause several extrahepatic manifestations, such as neurological, renal, and hematological manifestations. It was also associated with mortality in pregnant females.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHepatitis B Virus in Polish Blood Donors in the Period 2005-2019-Significant Changes in Epidemiology and Demographic Characteristics of Infected Donors.
Viruses
January 2025
Department of Virology, Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland.
In the 1980s, Poland was a medium-endemic country, with one of the highest incidences of hepatitis B in Europe (45/10 inhabitants). Pursuant to the WHO guidelines, obligatory vaccination was introduced in 1994-1996 (as a part of hepatitis B prophylaxis for newborns), and in 2000-2011, all 14-year-olds were vaccinated. To prevent transfusion-transmitted HBV infection (TT-HBV), since the 1970s, each donation has been tested for HBsAg and, since 2005, additionally for the presence of HBV DNA.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUnveiling Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Hepatitis D Among Vulnerable Communities in Romania.
Viruses
December 2024
Department of Gastroenterology, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania.
Background: Hepatitis B (HBV) and Delta (HDV) virus infections pose critical public health challenges, particularly in Romania, where HDV co-infection is underdiagnosed.
Methods: This study investigates the epidemiology, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of HBV/HDV co-infection in vulnerable populations, leveraging data from the LIVE(RO2) program. Conducted between July 2021 and November 2023, the program screened 320,000 individuals across 24 counties, targeting socially disadvantaged groups such as rural residents, the Roma community, and those lacking health insurance.
Unveiling the Molecular Architecture of HBV Spherical Subviral Particles: Structure, Symmetry, and Lipid Dynamics.
Viruses
December 2024
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
Since the discovery of the Australia antigen, now known as the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), significant research has been conducted to elucidate its physical, chemical, structural, and functional properties. Subviral particles (SVPs) containing HBsAg are highly immunogenic, non-infectious entities that have not only revolutionized vaccine development but also provided critical insights into HBV immune evasion and viral assembly. Recent advances in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) have uncovered the heterogeneity and dynamic nature of spherical HBV SVPs, emphasizing the essential role of lipid-protein interactions in maintaining particle stability.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!