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Efforts at the Frontlines: Implementing a Hepatitis C Testing and Linkage-to-Care Program at the Local Public Health Level.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Seña, AC; Willis, SJ; Hilton, A; Anderson, A; Wohl, DA; Hurt, CB; Muir, AJ
Published in: Public Health Rep
2016

OBJECTIVES: The national Viral Hepatitis Action Plan recommends strengthening partnerships among health departments, community-based organizations, and health-care providers for hepatitis services. We implemented a hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing and linkage-to-care program through a local health department using similar strategies reported for HIV care. METHODS: The Durham County Department of Public Health received federal funding to conduct HCV testing and linkage to care in Durham, North Carolina. HCV antibody testing with reflex RNA was offered through a sexually transmitted disease clinic, a county jail, community testing sites (including a residential substance abuse recovery program), and a homeless clinic. People with evidence of HCV infection were linked to care through an HCV bridge counselor who provided education, incentives, and transportation, and scheduled appointments with HCV specialists at nearby academic centers and on-site clinics. RESULTS: From December 2012 through February 2014, we conducted 2,004 HCV tests, of which 326 (16.3%) were HCV antibody positive and 241 (12.0%) had detectable HCV RNA. Among the 241 people with HCV infection, 178 (73.9%) were men, and 133 (55.2%) were born between 1945 and 1965. Of 241 people with chronic HCV infection, 150 (62.2%) reported ever injecting drugs, eight (2.5%) were coinfected with HIV, and 123 (51.0%) were linked to care. CONCLUSION: At the local public health level, HCV testing and linkage to care can be facilitated with additional funding and by leveraging existing programs and provider networks to deliver a coordinated system of care.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Public Health Rep

DOI

EISSN

1468-2877

Publication Date

2016

Volume

131 Suppl 2

Issue

Suppl 2

Start / End Page

57 / 64

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Public Health Administration
  • Public Health
  • Prisons
  • Prevalence
  • North Carolina
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies
  • Hepatitis C
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Seña, A. C., Willis, S. J., Hilton, A., Anderson, A., Wohl, D. A., Hurt, C. B., & Muir, A. J. (2016). Efforts at the Frontlines: Implementing a Hepatitis C Testing and Linkage-to-Care Program at the Local Public Health Level. Public Health Rep, 131 Suppl 2(Suppl 2), 57–64. https://doi.org/10.1177/00333549161310S210
Seña, Arlene C., Sarah J. Willis, Alison Hilton, Alexandria Anderson, David A. Wohl, Christopher B. Hurt, and Andrew J. Muir. “Efforts at the Frontlines: Implementing a Hepatitis C Testing and Linkage-to-Care Program at the Local Public Health Level.Public Health Rep 131 Suppl 2, no. Suppl 2 (2016): 57–64. https://doi.org/10.1177/00333549161310S210.
Seña AC, Willis SJ, Hilton A, Anderson A, Wohl DA, Hurt CB, et al. Efforts at the Frontlines: Implementing a Hepatitis C Testing and Linkage-to-Care Program at the Local Public Health Level. Public Health Rep. 2016;131 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):57–64.
Seña, Arlene C., et al. “Efforts at the Frontlines: Implementing a Hepatitis C Testing and Linkage-to-Care Program at the Local Public Health Level.Public Health Rep, vol. 131 Suppl 2, no. Suppl 2, 2016, pp. 57–64. Pubmed, doi:10.1177/00333549161310S210.
Seña AC, Willis SJ, Hilton A, Anderson A, Wohl DA, Hurt CB, Muir AJ. Efforts at the Frontlines: Implementing a Hepatitis C Testing and Linkage-to-Care Program at the Local Public Health Level. Public Health Rep. 2016;131 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):57–64.
Journal cover image

Published In

Public Health Rep

DOI

EISSN

1468-2877

Publication Date

2016

Volume

131 Suppl 2

Issue

Suppl 2

Start / End Page

57 / 64

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Public Health Administration
  • Public Health
  • Prisons
  • Prevalence
  • North Carolina
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies
  • Hepatitis C