Abstract
BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to document the prevalence of hepatitis C among MMT patients, hepatitis C virus (HCV) knowledge of patients and MMT staff members, and the barriers preventing them from receiving or delivering HCV-related services in MMT clinics of China.MethodsData were collected from 240 MMT patients and 58 staff members in Shanghai MMT clinics. Structured questionnaires (HCV Knowledge Scale and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) and several self-developed questionnaires were used to assess (1) patient and staff HCV knowledge, (2) attitudes toward HCV-related services in MMT clinics, and (3) what type of HCV-related services the staff members have provided in their routine work. The HCV test results were based on the patients’ medical records.ResultsThe HCV seropositive rate was high (70%), and both patients and staff had limited HCV knowledge. The mean score of patient HCV knowledge was 6.8 out of 20 (SD = 3.7), whereas the mean score of staff HCV knowledge was 10.9 out of 20 (SD = 3.1). For HCV-positive patients, only 13.7% had accessed HCV medical treatment. Barriers included the cost of medical treatment, lack of HCV knowledge, lack of professional training for patients to receive HCV-related services from individuals or MMT clinics, and lack of an adequate policy-making system.ConclusionsHCV infection remains an important problem among MMT patients in China. Barriers to HCV-related services are attributable to individual, clinical, and policy-related factors. This study may provide evidence-based information for future work to optimize the resources of MMT clinics.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT01647191. Registered 17 April 2012.
Highlights
The purpose of this study was to document the prevalence of hepatitis C among maintenance treatment (MMT) patients, hepatitis C virus (HCV) knowledge of patients and MMT staff members, and the barriers preventing them from receiving or delivering HCV-related services in MMT clinics of China
Since the final aim of the proposal was to evaluate the effectiveness of HCV/Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) comprehensive interventions among drug users in MMT clinics, we defined any MMT clinic with more than 100 patients as meeting the inclusion criteria
70% of the participants were HCV positive; the infection rate was significantly higher than in two other studies conducted in MMT clinics 3 years ago (57.0 and 51.3%, respectively) [7, 16]
Summary
The purpose of this study was to document the prevalence of hepatitis C among MMT patients, hepatitis C virus (HCV) knowledge of patients and MMT staff members, and the barriers preventing them from receiving or delivering HCV-related services in MMT clinics of China. High-risk factors for HCV infection include injection drug use (IDU) and transfusion of blood products. Since the establishment of a security system for blood donors in China, IDU has been the predominant mode of HCV transmission. By the end of 2014, approximately 2.96 million drug users were documented in China [3]. HCV infection has become a major health burden in China with rapid transmission, a long duration of clinical progression, and limited access of infected addicts to routine treatment
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
