AI Article Synopsis
Article Abstract
Background & Aims: Directly observed therapy (DOT) maximizes adherence and minimizes treatment gaps. Peer case managers (PCM) have also shown promise as a component of integrated HCV treatment strategies. DOT and PCM-support have been underexplored, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The objective of this study was to evaluate predictors of sustained virologic response (SVR) among people who inject drugs (PWID) attending medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and needle and syringe programs (NSP) sites in Kenya.
Methods: We recruited PWID accessing MAT and NSP in Nairobi and Coastal Kenya. PWID were treated with ledipasvir/sofosbuvir using DOT supported by PCMs. We used bivariate and multivariate logistic regression to examine the impact of sociodemographic, behavioral, and clinical factors on SVR.
Results: Among 92 PWID who initiated HCV treatment, 79 (86%) were male with mean age of 36.3 years (SD=±6.5); 38 (41%) were HIV-positive, and 87 (95%) reported injecting drugs in the last 30 days. Just over half of participants were genotype 1a (55%), followed by genotype 4a (41%) and mixed 1a/4a (3%). Most participants, 85 (92%) completed treatment and 79 (86%) achieved SVR. While sociodemographic and behavioral factors including recent injection drug use were not significantly associated with achieving SVR, being fully adherent (p=0.042), number of doses taken (p=0.008) and treatment completion (p= 0.001) were associated with higher odds of achieving SVR.
Conclusions: DOT with PCM-support was an effective model for HCV treatment among PWID in this LMIC setting. Adherence was the most important driver of SVR suggesting DOT and PCM support can overcome other factors that might limit adherence. Further research is necessary to ascertain the effectiveness of other models of HCV care for PWID in LMICs given NSP and MAT access is variable, and DOT may not be sustainable with limited resources.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10034760 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.103959 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C and HIV Infections and Associated Risk Factors Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care Unit at Simada Hospital, South Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia.
Biomed Res Int
January 2025
Department of Biology, College of Natural & Computational Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Hepatitis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are major public health issues in developing countries, including Ethiopia. These viruses can be transmitted from mother to child during birth or through contact with contaminated blood. In many areas of Ethiopia, viral hepatitis and HIV infections are significant health concerns for pregnant women.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOxidised Apolipoprotein Peptidome Characterises Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease.
Liver Int
February 2025
Roger Williams Institute of Liver Studies, Foundation for Liver Research, London, UK.
Background: Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) encompasses a spectrum of histological conditions ranging from simple steatosis to fibrosing steatohepatitis, and is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). While oxidised apolipoproteins A and B have been linked to obesity and CVD, the association between other oxidised apolipoproteins and MASLD is yet to be established. To fill this gap, we characterised the circulating serum peptidome of patients with MASLD.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFKnowledge and occupational practices of beauticians and barbers in the transmission of viral hepatitis: A mixed-methods study in Volta Region of Ghana.
PLoS One
January 2025
Volta Regional Health Directorate, Ghana Health Service, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana.
Background: Hepatitis B and C viral (HBV and HCV) infections are endemic in Ghana. Also, the National Policy on Viral Hepatitis stipulates that there is unreliable data, limited knowledge, and a deficiency in research on viral hepatitis, especially among some high-risk workers in the eastern part of the country. This study therefore assessed the knowledge level and occupational practices of street beauticians and barbers in the transmission of HBV and HCV in the Volta Region of Ghana.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBarriers to and impacts of hepatitis C treatment among people who inject drugs in Kenya: A qualitative study.
PLOS Glob Public Health
January 2025
Yale School of Nursing, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America.
Hepatitis C (HCV) disproportionately affects people who inject drugs (PWID). Despite availability of safe and effective treatment, HCV treatment access and uptake among PWID in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) has been limited. Understanding the lived experiences of PWID in these settings who have undergone treatment provides the opportunity to gain insight into how to implement treatment programs that meet the needs of this population.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLooking back into the Hepatitis C Virus epidemic dynamics from Unnao, India through phylogenetic approach.
PLoS One
January 2025
Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India.
Viral hepatitis is a major public health challenge. Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection causes the progressive liver damage. A surprisingly high number of individuals tested positive for HCV infection during the Unnao Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) outbreak investigation in 2017-2018 (more than 90% of the people living with HIV were from the Premganj township and Chakmeerapur village of the district in the northern State of Uttar Pradesh).
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!