A Survey of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Screening in Pregnancy Among OBGYNs at a Tertiary Care Center [19Q

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection among pregnant women in the US increased 89% from 2009 to 2014. The risk of a HCV infected mother transmitting the infection to her infant is approximately 4-7% per pregnancy. Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) and American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) recommend universal HCV screening in pregnancy whereas the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends risk-based screening. The objective of this study was to assess the opinions and clinical practice of OBGYN providers in a tertiary care center. METHODS: An electronic 10 question survey was approved by the Tufts Medical Center Institutional Review Board and emailed to providers. RESULTS: 38/41 (92.6%) provided responses and 17/38 (44.7%) were attendings, 4/38 (10.5%) were fellows, and 17/38 (44.7%) were residents. 16/37 (43.2%) of respondents agreed all pregnant women should be screened for HCV whereas 20/37 (54.1%) agreed that only pregnant women with risk factors for HCV should be screened. When asked about their clinical practice, 3/36 (8.3%) of respondents stated they do not screen pregnant patients for HCV, 5/36 (13.9%) screen all pregnant patients, and 28/36 (77.8%) screen patients based on their risk factors for HCV. CONCLUSION: Divergent guidelines, provider opinions, and clinical practice necessitate further research into universal HCV screening in pregnant patients. Future plans include an educational intervention on HCV for providers in the department followed by a chart review to determine the HCV detection rate before and after a change in practice to universal screening for HCV.