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MacIsaac MB, Whitton B, Anderson J, Cogger S, Vella-Horne D, Penn M, Weeks A, Elmore K, Pemberton D, Winter RJ, Papaluca T, Howell J, Hellard M, Stoové M, Wilson D, Pedrana A, Doyle JS, Clark N, Holmes JA, Thompson AJ. Point-of-care HCV RNA testing improves hepatitis C testing rates and allows rapid treatment initiation among people who inject drugs attending a medically supervised injecting facility. Int J Drug Policy 2024; 125:104317. [PMID: 38281385 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To achieve hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination targets, simplified care engaging people who inject drugs is required. We evaluated whether fingerstick HCV RNA point-of-care testing (PoCT) increased the proportion of clients attending a supervised injecting facility who were tested for hepatitis C. METHODS Prospective single-arm study with recruitment between 9 November 2020 and 28 January 2021 and follow-up to 31 July 2021. Clients attending the supervised injecting facility were offered HCV RNA testing using the Xpert® HCV Viral Load Fingerstick (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA) PoCT. Participants with a positive HCV RNA test were prescribed direct acting antiviral (DAA) therapy. The primary endpoint was the proportion of clients who engaged in HCV RNA PoCT, compared to a historical comparator group when venepuncture-based hepatitis C testing was standard of care. RESULTS Among 1618 clients who attended the supervised injecting facility during the study period, 228 (14%) engaged in PoCT. This was significantly higher than that observed in the historical comparator group (61/1,775, 3%; p < 0.001). Sixty-five (28%) participants were HCV RNA positive, with 40/65 (62%) receiving their result on the same day as testing. Sixty-one (94%) HCV RNA positive participants were commenced on DAA therapy; 14/61 (23%) started treatment on the same day as diagnosis. There was no difference in the proportion of HCV RNA positive participants commenced on treatment with DAA therapy when compared to the historical comparator group (61/65, 94% vs 22/26, 85%; p = 0.153). However, the median time to treatment initiation was significantly shorter in the PoCT cohort (2 days (IQR 1-20) vs 41 days (IQR 22-76), p < 0.001). Among participants who commenced treatment and had complete follow-up data available, 27/36 (75%) achieved hepatitis C cure. CONCLUSIONS HCV RNA PoCT led to a significantly higher proportion of clients attending a supervised injecting facility engaging in hepatitis C testing, whilst also reducing the time to treatment initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael B MacIsaac
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bradley Whitton
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jenine Anderson
- Medically Supervised Injecting Room, North Richmond Community Health, Richmond, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shelley Cogger
- Medically Supervised Injecting Room, North Richmond Community Health, Richmond, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dylan Vella-Horne
- Medically Supervised Injecting Room, North Richmond Community Health, Richmond, Victoria, Australia
| | - Matthew Penn
- Medically Supervised Injecting Room, North Richmond Community Health, Richmond, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anthony Weeks
- Medically Supervised Injecting Room, North Richmond Community Health, Richmond, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kasey Elmore
- Medically Supervised Injecting Room, North Richmond Community Health, Richmond, Victoria, Australia
| | - David Pemberton
- Medically Supervised Injecting Room, North Richmond Community Health, Richmond, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rebecca J Winter
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia; Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Timothy Papaluca
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jessica Howell
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mark Stoové
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David Wilson
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joseph S Doyle
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicolas Clark
- Medically Supervised Injecting Room, North Richmond Community Health, Richmond, Victoria, Australia; Department of Addiction Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jacinta A Holmes
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alexander J Thompson
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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Nevendorff L, Pedrana A, Bourne A, Traeger M, Sindunata E, Reswana WA, Alharbi RM, Stoové M. Characterizing Socioecological Markers of Differentiated HIV Risk Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Indonesia. AIDS Behav 2024; 28:657-668. [PMID: 38270714 PMCID: PMC10876766 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04253-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
HIV prevention programs typically focus on changing individuals' risk behaviors, often without considering the socioecological factors that can moderate this risk. We characterized HIV risk among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Indonesia (n = 1314) using latent class analysis and used multinomial logistic regression to identify latent class relationships with demographics, social/sexual networks, and community-level socioecological indicators of HIV risk. Three HIV risk latent classes were identified-"Sexually Moderate" (n = 333), "Sexual Explorative" (n = 575), and "Navigating Complexities" (n = 406). Using "Sexually Moderate" (lowest risk) as the reference group, MSM in the "Sexual Explorative" class had additional social/sexual network-level risks (meeting partner(s) using both online and offline methods [RR = 3.8; 95%CI 1.7-8.6] or general social media and gay-specific online platforms [RR = 2.6; 95%CI 1.9-3.6] to meet partners, group sex [RR = 10.9; 95%CI 4.5-25.4], transactional sex [RR = 1.6; 95%CI 1.2-2.2]), and community-level risks (experiencing homosexual-related assaults [RR = 1.4; 95%CI 1.1-1.9]). MSM in the "Navigating Complexities" class had additional social/sexual network-level risks (low social support [RR = 1.6; 95%CI 1.1-2.5], less disclosure of their sexuality [RR = 1.4; 95%CI 1.0-1.9]) and community-level risks (higher internalized homonegativity scores [RR = 1.2; 95%CI 1.1-1.4], ever experiencing homosexual-related assaults [RR = 1.4:95%CI 1.1-1.9], less exposure to HIV/STI health promotion [RR = 0.7; 95%CI 0.5-0.9], attending STI-related services in the past 6 months [RR = 0.6; 95%CI 0.4-0.8]). Co-occurring individual and socioecological risk recommend holistic HIV prevention strategies tailored to consider the social and structural conditions of MSM in Indonesia are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Nevendorff
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, 3004, Australia.
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
- HIV AIDS Research Center Atma Jaya Catholic University Jakarta, Jakarta, Indonesia.
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, 3004, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Adam Bourne
- Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Michael Traeger
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, 3004, Australia
| | - Eric Sindunata
- HIV AIDS Research Center Atma Jaya Catholic University Jakarta, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Wawa A Reswana
- Jaringan Indonesia Positive (The Positive Indonesia Network), Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Rosidin M Alharbi
- Jaringan Indonesia Positive (The Positive Indonesia Network), Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Mark Stoové
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, 3004, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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Draper B, Yee WL, Bowring A, Naing W, Kyi KP, Htay H, Howell J, Hellard M, Pedrana A. Patients' experience of accessing hepatitis C treatment through the Myanmar national hepatitis C treatment program: a qualitative evaluation. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:80. [PMID: 38229074 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-10456-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Globally, 56.8 million people are living with hepatitis C and over three-quarters of those reside in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Barriers and enablers to hepatitis C care among people who inject drugs in high-income countries are well documented. However, there is scant literature describing the patient experience in LMICs. Understanding the barriers and enablers to care from the patient perspective is important to inform service refinements to improve accessibility and acceptability of hepatitis C care. METHODS We conducted a qualitative evaluation of the patient experience of accessing the national hepatitis C program at eight hospital sites in Myanmar. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four to five participants per site. Interview data were analysed thematically, with deductive codes from Levesque et al.'s (2013) Framework on patient-centred access to healthcare. RESULTS Across the eight sites, 38 participants who had completed treatment were interviewed. Barriers to accessing care were mostly related to attending for care and included travel time and costs, multiple appointments, and wait times. Some participants described how they did not receive adequate information on hepatitis C, particularly its transmission routes, and on the level of cirrhosis of their liver and what they were required to do after treatment (i.e. reduce alcohol consumption, liver cirrhosis monitoring). Many participants commented that they had few or no opportunities to ask questions. Provision of treatment at no cost was essential to accessibility, and gratitude for free treatment led to high acceptability of care, even when accessing care was inconvenient. CONCLUSIONS These findings highlight the importance of streamlining and decentralising health services, adequate human resourcing and training, and affordable treatment in maximising the accessibility and acceptability of hepatitis C care in LMICs. Findings from this work will inform future service delivery refinements for national program and other decentralised programs to improve accessibility and acceptability of hepatitis C care in Myanmar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridget Draper
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
- School of Population Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
| | | | - Anna Bowring
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Win Naing
- Yangon Specialty Hospital, Yangon, Myanmar
- Myanmar Liver Foundation, Yangon, Myanmar
| | | | - Hla Htay
- Burnet Institute Myanmar, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Jessica Howell
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Population Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Hepatitis Services, Department of Infectious Diseases Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Doherty Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Population Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Health Services Research and Implementation, Monash Partners, Melbourne, Australia
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Pedrana A, Bowring A, Heath K, Thomas AJ, Wilkinson A, Fletcher-Lartey S, Saich F, Munari S, Oliver J, Merner B, Altermatt A, Nguyen T, Nguyen L, Young K, Kerr P, Osborne D, Kwong EJL, Corona MV, Ke T, Zhang Y, Eisa L, Al-Qassas A, Malith D, Davis A, Gibbs L, Block K, Horyniak D, Wallace J, Power R, Vadasz D, Ryan R, Shearer F, Homer C, Collie A, Meagher N, Danchin M, Kaufman J, Wang P, Hassani A, Sadewo GRP, Robins G, Gallagher C, Matous P, Roden B, Karkavandi MA, Coutinho J, Broccatelli C, Koskinen J, Curtis S, Doyle JS, Geard N, Hill S, Coelho A, Scott N, Lusher D, Stoové MA, Gibney KB, Hellard M. Priority populations' experiences of isolation, quarantine and distancing for COVID-19: protocol for a longitudinal cohort study (Optimise Study). BMJ Open 2024; 14:e076907. [PMID: 38216183 PMCID: PMC10806709 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-076907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Longitudinal studies can provide timely and accurate information to evaluate and inform COVID-19 control and mitigation strategies and future pandemic preparedness. The Optimise Study is a multidisciplinary research platform established in the Australian state of Victoria in September 2020 to collect epidemiological, social, psychological and behavioural data from priority populations. It aims to understand changing public attitudes, behaviours and experiences of COVID-19 and inform epidemic modelling and support responsive government policy. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This protocol paper describes the data collection procedures for the Optimise Study, an ongoing longitudinal cohort of ~1000 Victorian adults and their social networks. Participants are recruited using snowball sampling with a set of seeds and two waves of snowball recruitment. Seeds are purposively selected from priority groups, including recent COVID-19 cases and close contacts and people at heightened risk of infection and/or adverse outcomes of COVID-19 infection and/or public health measures. Participants complete a schedule of monthly quantitative surveys and daily diaries for up to 24 months, plus additional surveys annually for up to 48 months. Cohort participants are recruited for qualitative interviews at key time points to enable in-depth exploration of people's lived experiences. Separately, community representatives are invited to participate in community engagement groups, which review and interpret research findings to inform policy and practice recommendations. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The Optimise longitudinal cohort and qualitative interviews are approved by the Alfred Hospital Human Research Ethics Committee (# 333/20). The Optimise Study CEG is approved by the La Trobe University Human Ethics Committee (# HEC20532). All participants provide informed verbal consent to enter the cohort, with additional consent provided prior to any of the sub studies. Study findings will be disseminated through public website (https://optimisecovid.com.au/study-findings/) and through peer-reviewed publications. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT05323799.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisa Pedrana
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anna Bowring
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | | | - Anna Wilkinson
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Freya Saich
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Jane Oliver
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bronwen Merner
- Centre for Health Communication and Participation, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Thi Nguyen
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Long Nguyen
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Phoebe Kerr
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | | | - Martha Vazquez Corona
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tianhui Ke
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yanqin Zhang
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Limya Eisa
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Deng Malith
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Angela Davis
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lisa Gibbs
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Disaster Management and Public Safety, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Karen Block
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Danielle Horyniak
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jack Wallace
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Robert Power
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Danny Vadasz
- Health Issues Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rebecca Ryan
- Centre for Health Communication and Participation, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Freya Shearer
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Alex Collie
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Niamh Meagher
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Margaret Danchin
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jessica Kaufman
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peng Wang
- School of Business, Law and Entrepreneurship, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
- SNA Toolbox, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | | | - Garry Robins
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Colin Gallagher
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Petr Matous
- The University of Sydney Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Bopha Roden
- School of Business, Law and Entrepreneurship, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - James Coutinho
- School of Business, Law and Entrepreneurship, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
| | - Chiara Broccatelli
- Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Johan Koskinen
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Statistics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stephanie Curtis
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joseph S Doyle
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicholas Geard
- School of Computing & Information Systems, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sophie Hill
- Centre for Health Communication and Participation, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Nick Scott
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dean Lusher
- School of Business, Law and Entrepreneurship, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
- SNA Toolbox, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mark A Stoové
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Katherine B Gibney
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Hellard ME, Pedrana A. Innovation is needed to increase viral hepatitis testing globally. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 21:3-4. [PMID: 37919388 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-023-00865-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Margaret E Hellard
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
- Doherty Institute and School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Dawe J, Hughes M, Christensen S, Walsh L, Richmond JA, Pedrana A, Wilkinson AL, Owen L, Doyle JS. Evaluation of a person-centred, nurse-led model of care delivering hepatitis C testing and treatment in priority settings: a mixed-methods evaluation of the Tasmanian Eliminate Hepatitis C Australia Outreach Project, 2020-2022. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2289. [PMID: 37985979 PMCID: PMC10662700 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17066-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Australia has experienced sustained reductions in hepatitis C testing and treatment and may miss its 2030 elimination targets. Addressing gaps in community-based hepatitis C prescribing in priority settings that did not have, or did not prioritise, hepatitis C testing and treatment care pathways is critical. METHODS The Tasmanian Eliminate Hepatitis C Australia Outreach Project delivered a nurse-led outreach model of care servicing hepatitis C priority populations in the community through the Tasmanian Statewide Sexual Health Service, supported by the Eliminating Hepatitis C Australia partnership. Settings included alcohol and other drug services, needle and syringe programs and mental health services. The project provided clients with clinical care across the hepatitis C cascade of care, including testing, treatment, and post-treatment support and hepatitis C education for staff. RESULTS Between July 2020 and July 2022, a total of 43 sites were visited by one Clinical Nurse Consultant. There was a total of 695 interactions with clients across 219 days of service delivery by the Clinical Nurse Consultant. A total of 383 clients were tested for hepatitis C (antibody, RNA, or both). A total of 75 clients were diagnosed with hepatitis C RNA, of which 95% (71/75) commenced treatment, 83% (62/75) completed treatment and 52% (39/75) received a negative hepatitis C RNA test at least 12 weeks after treatment completion. CONCLUSIONS Providing outreach hepatitis C services in community-based services was effective in engaging people living with and at-risk of hepatitis C, in education, testing, and care. Nurse-led, person-centred care was critical to the success of the project. Our evaluation underscores the importance of employing a partnership approach when delivering hepatitis C models of care in community settings, and incorporating workforce education and capacity-building activities when working with non-specialist healthcare professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Dawe
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Megan Hughes
- Sexual Health Service Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | | | - Louisa Walsh
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Centre for Health Communication and Participation, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Anna L Wilkinson
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Louise Owen
- Sexual Health Service Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Joseph S Doyle
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Health and Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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Ryan RE, Silke C, Parkhill A, Virgona A, Merner B, Hurley S, Walsh L, de Moel-Mandel C, Schonfeld L, Edwards AG, Kaufman J, Cooper A, Chung RKY, Solo K, Hellard M, Di Tanna GL, Pedrana A, Saich F, Hill S. Communication to promote and support physical distancing for COVID-19 prevention and control. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2023; 10:CD015144. [PMID: 37811673 PMCID: PMC10561351 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd015144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This review is an update of a rapid review undertaken in 2020 to identify relevant, feasible and effective communication approaches to promote acceptance, uptake and adherence to physical distancing measures for COVID-19 prevention and control. The rapid review was published when little was known about transmission, treatment or future vaccination, and when physical distancing measures (isolation, quarantine, contact tracing, crowd avoidance, work and school measures) were the cornerstone of public health responses globally. This updated review includes more recent evidence to extend what we know about effective pandemic public health communication. This includes considerations of changes needed over time to maintain responsiveness to pandemic transmission waves, the (in)equities and variable needs of groups within communities due to the pandemic, and highlights again the critical role of effective communication as integral to the public health response. OBJECTIVES To update the evidence on the question 'What are relevant, feasible and effective communication approaches to promote acceptance, uptake and adherence to physical distancing measures for COVID-19 prevention and control?', our primary focus was communication approaches to promote and support acceptance, uptake and adherence to physical distancing. SECONDARY OBJECTIVE to explore and identify key elements of effective communication for physical distancing measures for different (diverse) populations and groups. SEARCH METHODS We searched MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Library databases from inception, with searches for this update including the period 1 January 2020 to 18 August 2021. Systematic review and study repositories and grey literature sources were searched in August 2021 and guidelines identified for the eCOVID19 Recommendations Map were screened (November 2021). SELECTION CRITERIA Guidelines or reviews focusing on communication (information, education, reminders, facilitating decision-making, skills acquisition, supporting behaviour change, support, involvement in decision-making) related to physical distancing measures for prevention and/or control of COVID-19 or selected other diseases (sudden acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), influenza, Ebola virus disease (EVD) or tuberculosis (TB)) were included. New evidence was added to guidelines, reviews and primary studies included in the 2020 review. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Methods were based on the original rapid review, using methods developed by McMaster University and informed by Cochrane rapid review guidance. Screening, data extraction, quality assessment and synthesis were conducted by one author and checked by a second author. Synthesis of results was conducted using modified framework analysis, with themes from the original review used as an initial framework. MAIN RESULTS This review update includes 68 studies, with 17 guidelines and 20 reviews added to the original 31 studies. Synthesis identified six major themes, which can be used to inform policy and decision-making related to planning and implementing communication about a public health emergency and measures to protect the community. Theme 1: Strengthening public trust and countering misinformation: essential foundations for effective public health communication Recognising the key role of public trust is essential. Working to build and maintain trust over time underpins the success of public health communications and, therefore, the effectiveness of public health prevention measures. Theme 2: Two-way communication: involving communities to improve the dissemination, accessibility and acceptability of information Two-way communication (engagement) with the public is needed over the course of a public health emergency: at first, recognition of a health threat (despite uncertainties), and regularly as public health measures are introduced or adjusted. Engagement needs to be embedded at all stages of the response and inform tailoring of communications and implementation of public health measures over time. Theme 3: Development of and preparation for public communication: target audience, equity and tailoring Communication and information must be tailored to reach all groups within populations, and explicitly consider existing inequities and the needs of disadvantaged groups, including those who are underserved, vulnerable, from diverse cultural or language groups, or who have lower educational attainment. Awareness that implementing public health measures may magnify existing or emerging inequities is also needed in response planning, enactment and adjustment over time. Theme 4: Public communication features: content, timing and duration, delivery Public communication needs to be based on clear, consistent, actionable and timely (up-to-date) information about preventive measures, including the benefits (whether for individual, social groupings or wider society), harms (likewise) and rationale for use, and include information about supports available to help follow recommended measures. Communication needs to occur through multiple channels and/or formats to build public trust and reach more of the community. Theme 5: Supporting behaviour change at individual and population levels Supporting implementation of public health measures with practical supports and services (e.g. essential supplies, financial support) is critical. Information about available supports must be widely disseminated and well understood. Supports and communication related to them require flexibility and tailoring to explicitly consider community needs, including those of vulnerable groups. Proactively monitoring and countering stigma related to preventive measures (e.g. quarantine) is also necessary to support adherence. Theme 6: Fostering and sustaining receptiveness and responsiveness to public health communication Efforts to foster and sustain public receptiveness and responsiveness to public health communication are needed throughout a public health emergency. Trust, acceptance and behaviours change over time, and communication needs to be adaptive and responsive to these changing needs. Ongoing community engagement efforts should inform communication and public health response measures. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Implications for practice Evidence highlights the critical role of communication throughout a public health emergency. Like any intervention, communication can be done well or poorly, but the consequences of poor communication during a pandemic may mean the difference between life and death. The approaches to effective communication identified in this review can be used by policymakers and decision-makers, working closely with communication teams, to plan, implement and adjust public communications over the course of a public health emergency like the COVID-19 pandemic. Implications for research Despite massive growth in research during the COVID-19 period, gaps in the evidence persist and require high-quality, meaningful research. This includes investigating the experiences of people at heightened COVID-19 risk, and identifying barriers to implementing public communication and protective health measures particular to lower- and middle-income countries, and how to overcome these.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca E Ryan
- Centre for Health Communication and Participation, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Charlotte Silke
- UNESCO Child & Family Research Centre, School of Political Science & Sociology, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Anne Parkhill
- Centre for Health Communication and Participation, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Ariane Virgona
- Centre for Health Communication and Participation, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Bronwen Merner
- Centre for Health Communication and Participation, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Shauna Hurley
- Cochrane Australia, School of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Louisa Walsh
- Centre for Health Communication and Participation, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
- Department of Nursing and Allied Health, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Lina Schonfeld
- Centre for Health Communication and Participation, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Adrian Gk Edwards
- Wales COVID-19 Evidence Centre, Cardiff University, 8th floor Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN , UK
- PRIME Centre Wales, Division of Population Medicine, School of Medicine, 8th floor Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK
| | - Jessica Kaufman
- Centre for Health Communication and Participation, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
- Vaccine Uptake Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute , The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Australia
| | - Alison Cooper
- Wales COVID-19 Evidence Centre, Cardiff University, 8th floor Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN , UK
- PRIME Centre Wales, Division of Population Medicine, School of Medicine, 8th floor Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK
| | | | - Karla Solo
- GRADE McMaster & Cochrane Canada, Health Research Methods, Evidence & Impact, McMaster University , Hamilton, Ontario , Canada
| | | | - Gian Luca Di Tanna
- Department of Business Economics, Health and Social Care, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, Lugano, Switzerland
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | | | | | - Sophie Hill
- Centre for Health Communication and Participation, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
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Gunn J, O'Keefe D, Draper BL, Djordjevic F, Ryan K, Kerr P, Elsum I, Gold J, Layton C, Chan K, Dietze P, Higgs P, Doyle J, Stoové MA, Hellard M, Pedrana A. The eliminate hepatitis C (EC) experience study: baseline characteristics of a cohort of people who inject drugs in Melbourne, Australia. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e071665. [PMID: 37400235 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-071665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Direct-acting antivirals provide an opportunity to eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV) as a public health threat in Australia, yet barriers to care remain. In this study, we use baseline data from a longitudinal cohort of people who inject drugs to understand differences in participant characteristics and explore experiences of stigma, health service utilisation and health literacy between three care cascade groups. DESIGN Cross-sectional. SETTING Community and private primary healthcare services in Melbourne, Australia. PARTICIPANTS Participants completed baseline surveys between 19 September 2018 and 15 December 2020. We recruited 288 participants; the median age was 42 years (IQR: 37-49 years) and 198 (69%) were male. At baseline, 103 (36%) self-reported being 'not engaged in testing', 127 (44%) had HCV RNA positivity but were 'not engaged in treatment' and 58 (20%) were 'engaged in HCV treatment'. OUTCOME MEASURES Descriptive statistics were used to present the baseline demographics, health service utilisation and experiences of stigma data. We explored differences in these scales between participant demographics using χ2 test or fisher's exact tests, and differences between health literacy scores using one-way analysis of variance tests. RESULTS A majority were in regular contact with multiple health services, and most had previously been identified as at-risk of HCV. In the 12 months preceding baseline, 70% reported any experiences of stigma related to injecting drug use. Assessment of health literacy data identified gaps for those 'not engaged in testing' and 'not engaged in treatment' across two relevant domains: 'ability to appraise health information' and 'ability to actively engage with healthcare providers'. CONCLUSION In eliminate hepatitis C experience, lower HCV testing and treatment may be explained by experiences of stigmatisation or gaps in health literacy. Enhanced interventions targeting people who inject drugs to promote HCV care are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Gunn
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Daniel O'Keefe
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bridget Louise Draper
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Filip Djordjevic
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kathleen Ryan
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Phoebe Kerr
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Imogen Elsum
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Judy Gold
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Chloe Layton
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kico Chan
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul Dietze
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Behaviours and Health Risks Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter Higgs
- Behaviours and Health Risks Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joseph Doyle
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mark A Stoové
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Doherty Institute and Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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9
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Yee WL, Bowring A, Draper B, O'Keefe D, Htay H, Myint KT, Aung HWP, Win YY, Sein YY, Mary M, Lin A, Pedrana A, Hellard M. Patients' access to and acceptance of community-based hepatitis C testing and treatment in Myanmar: A mixed-method study. PLOS Glob Public Health 2023; 3:e0000902. [PMID: 37327249 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C (HCV) infection elimination in low- and middle-income countries requires decentralised HCV services to increase testing and linkage to care. The CT2 Study investigated patients' views of access to and acceptance of two community-based HCV care models in Myanmar using a mixed-methods approach. Point-of-care HCV testing and general practitioner-initiated HCV treatment were provided at two community clinics in Yangon, Myanmar-the Burnet Institute's (BI) clinic focused on people who inject drugs (PWID), and the Myanmar Liver Foundation's (MLF) clinic focused on people with liver-related diseases. Study staff administered quantitative questionnaires to 633 participants receiving anti-HCV antibody testing. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 29 participants receiving direct-acting antiviral treatment for qualitative interviews. Among participants completing quantitative questionnaires, almost all reported the clinic location was convenient (447/463, 97%), waiting time was acceptable (455/463, 98%), and HCV antibody and RNA testing methods were acceptable (617/632, 98% and 592/605, 97% respectively). Nearly all participants were satisfied with their clinic's services (444/463, 96%) and preferred same-day test results (589/632, 93%). BI clinic participants were more confident that they understood HCV antibody and RNA results; MLF clinic participants were more comfortable disclosing their risk behaviour to staff and had slightly higher satisfaction with the overall care, privacy and secure storage of their information. In qualitative interviews, participants reported that flexible appointment scheduling, short wait times and rapid return of results increased the clinic's accessibility. The simplified point-of-care testing and treatment procedures and supportive healthcare providers contributed to participants' acceptance of the HCV care model. This decentralised community-based HCV testing and treatment model was highly accessible and acceptable to CT2 participants. Prioritizing patient-centred care, rapid provision of results, flexible appointments and convenient clinic locations can promote accessible and acceptable services which may in turn help accelerate progress in reaching HCV elimination targets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Bridget Draper
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Daniel O'Keefe
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Hla Htay
- Burnet Institute, Yangon, Myanmar
| | | | | | | | - Yi Yi Sein
- Myanmar Liver Foundation, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Mary Mary
- Myanmar Liver Foundation, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Aung Lin
- Myanmar Liver Foundation, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Doherty Institute and School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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10
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Tse WC, Altermatt A, Saich F, Wilkinson AL, Heath K, Young K, Pedrana A, Hill S, Gibbs L, Stoové M, Gibney KB, Hellard M. I know what you did last summer: a cross-sectional study of personal COVID-19 risk reduction strategies used by Victorian adults, December 2021-January 2022. Aust N Z J Public Health 2023; 47:100068. [PMID: 37271059 DOI: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We describe COVID-19 risk reduction strategies adopted by Victorian adults during December 2021-January 2022, a period of high COVID-19 infection and limited government mandated public health measures. METHODS In February 2022, participants of a Victorian-based cohort study (Optimise) completed a cross-sectional survey on risk reduction behaviours during December 2021-January 2022. Regression modelling estimated the association between risk reduction and demographics. RESULTS A total of 556 participants were included (median age 47 years; 75% women; 82% in metropolitan Melbourne). Two-thirds (61%) adopted at least one risk reduction behaviour, with uptake highest among younger participants (18-34 years; adjusted relative risk (aRR): 1.20, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01, 1.41) and those with a chronic health condition (aRR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.35). CONCLUSIONS Participants adopted their own COVID-19 risk reduction strategies in a setting of limited government restrictions, with young people more likely to adopt a risk reduction strategy that did not limit social mobility. IMPLICATION FOR PUBLIC HEALTH A public health response to COVID-19 that focusses on promoting personal risk reduction behaviours, as opposed to mandated restrictions, could be enhanced by disseminating information on and increasing availability of effective risk reduction strategies tailored to segments of the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wai Chung Tse
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.
| | - Aimée Altermatt
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Freya Saich
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Anna L Wilkinson
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Katherine Heath
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Kathryn Young
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Sophie Hill
- Centre for Health Communication and Participation, La Trobe University, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Lisa Gibbs
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
| | - Mark Stoové
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Katherine B Gibney
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Melbourne, At the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, VIC, 3000, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
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11
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Callander D, McManus H, Gray RT, Grulich AE, Carr A, Hoy J, Donovan B, Fairley CK, Holt M, Templeton DJ, Liaw ST, McMahon JH, Asselin J, Petoumenos K, Hellard M, Pedrana A, Elliott J, Keen P, Costello J, Keane R, Kaldor J, Stoové M, Guy R. HIV treatment-as-prevention and its effect on incidence of HIV among cisgender gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Australia: a 10-year longitudinal cohort study. Lancet HIV 2023; 10:e385-e393. [PMID: 37068498 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(23)00050-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although HIV treatment-as-prevention reduces individual-level HIV transmission, population-level effects are unclear. We aimed to investigate whether treatment-as-prevention could achieve population-level reductions in HIV incidence among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) in Australia's most populous states, New South Wales and Victoria. METHODS TAIPAN was a longitudinal cohort study using routine health record data extracted from 69 health services that provide HIV diagnosis and care to GBM in New South Wales and Victoria, Australia. Data from Jan 1, 2010, to Dec 31, 2019, were linked within and between services and over time. TAIPAN collected data from all cisgender GBM who attended participating services, resided in New South Wales or Victoria, and were 16 years or older. Two cohorts were established: one included HIV-positive patients, and the other included HIV-negative patients. Population prevalence of viral suppression (plasma HIV viral load <200 RNA copies per μL) was calculated by combining direct measures of viral load among the HIV-positive cohort with estimates for undiagnosed GBM. The primary outcome of HIV incidence was measured directly via repeat testing in the HIV-negative cohort. Poisson regression analyses with generalised estimating equations assessed temporal associations between population prevalence of viral suppression and HIV incidence among the subsample of HIV-negative GBM with multiple instances of HIV testing. FINDINGS At baseline, the final sample (n=101 772) included 90 304 HIV-negative and 11 468 HIV-positive GBM. 59 234 patients in the HIV-negative cohort had two or more instances of HIV testing and were included in the primary analysis. Over the study period, population prevalence of viral suppression increased from 69·27% (95% CI 66·41-71·96) to 88·31% (86·37-90·35), while HIV incidence decreased from 0·64 per 100 person-years (95% CI 0·55-0·76) to 0·22 per 100 person-years (0·17-0·28). Adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use, treatment-as-prevention achieved significant population-level reductions in HIV incidence among GBM: a 1% increase in population prevalence of viral suppression corresponded with a 6% decrease in HIV incidence (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 0·94, 95% CI 0·93-0·96; p<0·0001). PrEP was introduced in 2016 with 17·60% uptake among GBM that year, which increased to 36·38% in 2019. The relationship between population prevalence of viral suppression and HIV incidence was observed before the availability of PrEP (IRR 0·98, 95% CI 0·96-0·99; p<0·0001) and was even stronger after the introduction of PrEP (0·80, 0·70-0·93; p=0·0030). INTERPRETATION Our results suggest that further investment in HIV treatment, especially alongside PrEP, can improve public health by reducing HIV incidence among GBM. FUNDING National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denton Callander
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Hamish McManus
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Richard T Gray
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Andrew E Grulich
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Andrew Carr
- HIV and Immunology Unit, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jennifer Hoy
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Basil Donovan
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Sydney Sexual Health Centre, Sydney Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Christopher K Fairley
- Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Martin Holt
- Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - David J Templeton
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Sexual Health Medicine, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Positive Life New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Siaw-Teng Liaw
- School of Population Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - James H McMahon
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Kathy Petoumenos
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; The Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Julian Elliott
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Phillip Keen
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jane Costello
- Positive Life New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - John Kaldor
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mark Stoové
- The Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Rebecca Guy
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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12
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Schroeder SE, Treloar C, Bourne A, Stoové M, Doyle J, Hellard M, Pedrana A. Pre-Empting Stigma and Complicating Trauma: Narratives of Gay and Bisexual Men who Inject Drugs in Australia. Qual Health Res 2023:10497323231173788. [PMID: 37219452 DOI: 10.1177/10497323231173788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Gay and bisexual men (GBM) report higher rates of sexualised and injecting drug use (IDU) than heterosexual men. Injecting-related stigma is linked to negative health outcomes among people who inject drugs (PWID). This paper describes the ways in which stigmatisation manifests in the narratives of GBM who inject drugs. We conducted in-depth interviews with Australian GBM with IDU histories, exploring drug use, pleasure, risk, and relationality. Data were analysed using discourse analytical approaches. Interviewees (n = 19), aged 24-60 years, narrated their experiences of IDU practice over 2-32 years. Most (n = 18) injected methamphetamine, and used other (non-injected) drugs, in sexual contexts. From participants' narratives, we developed two themes related to stigmatisation of PWID that illustrate the limitations of conventional drug discourses to narrate GBM's experiences. The first theme captures participants' attempts to pre-empt stigmatisation, outlining the layering of stigma faced by GBM who inject drugs. Linguistically, participants transformed injecting stigma by distinguishing their personal practice from that of more discreditable drug users. Practically, they mitigated stigmatisation by keeping discrediting information from others. The second theme illustrates how by complicating the stereotypes of IDU, participants took up prominent discursive practices linking IDU with trauma and pathology. Participants exerted agency by broadening available interpretive repertoires for understanding IDU among GBM, thus creating a counter-discourse. We argue that mainstream discursive practices reverberate through gay communities, perpetuating stigmatisation of PWID and inhibiting care-seeking. More narration of unconventional experiences, beyond insular social groups and critical scholarship, is needed in public discourse to effect destigmatisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia E Schroeder
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Carla Treloar
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Adam Bourne
- Australian Research Centre for Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
- Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mark Stoové
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Joseph Doyle
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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MacIsaac MB, Whitton B, Hubble A, Cogger S, Penn M, Weeks A, Elmore K, Pemberton D, Anderson J, Howard R, McKeever U, Papaluca T, Hellard ME, Stoove M, Wilson D, Pedrana A, Doyle J, Clark N, Holmes J, Thompson AJ. Eliminating hepatitis C in Australia: a novel model of hepatitis C testing and treatment for people who inject drugs at a medically supervised injecting facility. Med J Aust 2023; 218:256-261. [PMID: 36919230 DOI: 10.5694/mja2.51885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the feasibility of testing and treating people who inject drugs at a supervised injecting facility for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING, PARTICIPANTS People who inject drugs who attended the Melbourne supervised injecting facility, 30 June 2018 - 30 June 2020. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Proportion of people tested for hepatitis C; proportions of people positive for anti-HCV antibody and HCV RNA, and of eligible people prescribed direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment; sustained virological response twelve weeks or more after treatment completion. RESULTS Of 4649 people who attended the supervised injecting facility during 2018-20, 321 were tested for hepatitis C (7%); 279 were anti-HCV antibody-positive (87%), of whom 143 (51%) were also HCV RNA-positive. Sixty-four of 321 had previously been treated for hepatitis C (20%), 21 had clinically identified cirrhosis (7%), eight had hepatitis B infections (2%), and four had human immunodeficiency virus infections (1%). In multivariate analyses, people tested for hepatitis C were more likely than untested clients to report psychiatric illness (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 9.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.26-12.8), not have a fixed address (aOR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.18-2.14), and to report significant alcohol use (aOR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.06-2.32). The median number of injecting facility visits was larger for those tested for hepatitis C (101; interquartile range [IQR], 31-236) than for those not tested (20; IQR, 3-90). DAA treatment was prescribed for 126 of 143 HCV RNA-positive clients (88%); 41 of 54 with complete follow-up data were cured (76%). CONCLUSIONS People who attend supervised injecting facilities can be tested and treated for hepatitis C on site. Models that provide streamlined, convenient hepatitis C care promote engagement with treatment in a group in which the prevalence of hepatitis C is high.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael B MacIsaac
- St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC.,The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Timothy Papaluca
- St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC.,The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC
| | - Margaret E Hellard
- The Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC.,Monash University, Melbourne, VIC.,Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC
| | - Mark Stoove
- The Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC.,Monash University, Melbourne, VIC
| | | | - Alisa Pedrana
- The Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC.,Monash University, Melbourne, VIC
| | - Joseph Doyle
- The Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC.,Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC
| | - Nico Clark
- North Richmond Community Health, Melbourne, VIC.,The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC
| | - Jacinta Holmes
- St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC.,The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC
| | - Alexander J Thompson
- St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC.,The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC
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14
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Nguyen T, Thomas AJ, Kerr P, Stewart AC, Wilkinson AL, Nguyen L, Altermatt A, Young K, Heath K, Bowring A, Fletcher-Lartey S, Lusher D, Hill S, Pedrana A, Stoové M, Gibney K, Hellard M. Recruiting and retaining community-based participants in a COVID-19 longitudinal cohort and social networks study: lessons from Victoria, Australia. BMC Med Res Methodol 2023; 23:54. [PMID: 36849927 PMCID: PMC9969937 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-023-01874-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Longitudinal studies are critical to informing evolving responses to COVID-19 but can be hampered by attrition bias, which undermines their reliability for guiding policy and practice. We describe recruitment and retention in the Optimise Study, a longitudinal cohort and social networks study that aimed to inform public health and policy responses to COVID-19. METHODS Optimise recruited adults residing in Victoria, Australia September 01 2020-September 30 2021. High-frequency follow-up data collection included nominating social networks for study participation and completing a follow-up survey and four follow-up diaries each month, plus additional surveys if they tested positive for COVID-19 or were a close contact. This study compared number recruited to a-priori targets as of September 302,021, retention as of December 31 2021, comparing participants retained and not retained, and follow-up survey and diary completion October 2020-December 2021. Retained participants completed a follow-up survey or diary in each of the final three-months of their follow-up time. Attrition was defined by the number of participants not retained, divided by the number who completed a baseline survey by September 302,021. Survey completion was calculated as the proportion of follow-up surveys or diaries sent to participants that were completed between October 2020-December 2021. RESULTS At September 302,021, 663 participants were recruited and at December 312,021, 563 were retained giving an overall attrition of 15% (n = 100/663). Among the 563 retained, survey completion was 90% (n = 19,354/21,524) for follow-up diaries and 89% (n = 4936/5560) for monthly follow-up surveys. Compared to participants not retained, those retained were older (t-test, p < 0.001), and more likely to be female (χ2, p = 0.001), and tertiary educated (χ2, p = 0.018). CONCLUSION High levels of study retention and survey completion demonstrate a willingness to participate in a complex, longitudinal cohort study with high participant burden during a global pandemic. We believe comprehensive follow-up strategies, frequent dissemination of study findings to participants, and unique data collection systems have contributed to high levels of study retention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thi Nguyen
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.
| | - Alexander J Thomas
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Phoebe Kerr
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Ashleigh C Stewart
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Anna Lee Wilkinson
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Long Nguyen
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Aimée Altermatt
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Kathryn Young
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Katherine Heath
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Anna Bowring
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | | | - Dean Lusher
- Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, 3122, Australia
| | - Sophie Hill
- La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Mark Stoové
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Katherine Gibney
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
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15
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Schroeder SE, Wilkinson AL, O’Keefe D, Bourne A, Doyle JS, Hellard M, Dietze P, Pedrana A. Does sexuality matter? A cross-sectional study of drug use, social injecting, and access to injection-specific care among men who inject drugs in Melbourne, Australia. Harm Reduct J 2023; 20:9. [PMID: 36691010 PMCID: PMC9869557 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-023-00737-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) are overrepresented in cohorts of people who inject drugs. GBMSM's substance use is usually explored in the context of its contribution to sexual risk. We examined drug use practices, connectedness to other people who inject drugs, peer-to-peer injecting, and access to care among men who inject drugs in Melbourne, Australia. We aim to describe similarities and differences in these parameters for GBMSM and other men. METHODS Data were drawn from a prospective cohort study of people who inject drugs conducted in Melbourne, Australia, since 2009. This cross-sectional study used data collected between 2016 and 2021. Descriptive statistics were used to assess differences between GBMSM and other men. RESULTS Of 525 men who injected drugs over the study period, 48 (9%) identified as gay or bisexual, or reported sex with other men in the past 12 months. GBMSM and other men reported similar socio-demographics, drug practices (age of injecting initiation, most injected drug, peer-to-peer injecting, receptive syringe sharing) and access to injecting-specific care (drug treatment, source of needle-syringes). A significantly greater percentage of GBMSM reported past 12-month hepatitis C testing (69% vs. 52%, p = 0.028) and preferring methamphetamine (31% vs. 16%, p = 0.022). A higher percentage of GBMSM reported knowing > 50 other people who inject drugs (46% vs. 37%), but this difference was not statistically significant. Both groups primarily obtained injecting equipment from needle-syringe programs; a minority had accessed injecting-specific primary care. CONCLUSION Men who injected drugs in this cohort and those who identified as GBMSM reported similar drug and health-seeking practices. The higher prevalence of methamphetamine injecting among GBMSM may warrant different harm reduction support for this group. Health promotion should utilise opportunities to connect men who inject drugs in Melbourne to injecting-specific primary health care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia E. Schroeder
- grid.1056.20000 0001 2224 8486Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, 3004 Australia ,grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - A. L. Wilkinson
- grid.1056.20000 0001 2224 8486Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, 3004 Australia ,grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - D. O’Keefe
- grid.1056.20000 0001 2224 8486Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, 3004 Australia ,grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - A. Bourne
- grid.1018.80000 0001 2342 0938Australian Research Centre for Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia ,grid.1005.40000 0004 4902 0432Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - J. S. Doyle
- grid.1056.20000 0001 2224 8486Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, 3004 Australia ,grid.1623.60000 0004 0432 511XDepartment of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - M. Hellard
- grid.1056.20000 0001 2224 8486Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, 3004 Australia ,grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia ,grid.1623.60000 0004 0432 511XDepartment of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, Australia ,grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XDoherty Institute and Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - P. Dietze
- grid.1056.20000 0001 2224 8486Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, 3004 Australia ,grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia ,grid.1032.00000 0004 0375 4078National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - A. Pedrana
- grid.1056.20000 0001 2224 8486Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, 3004 Australia ,grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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16
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Nevendorff L, Schroeder SE, Pedrana A, Bourne A, Stoové M. Prevalence of sexualized drug use and risk of HIV among sexually active MSM in East and South Asian countries: systematic review and meta-analysis. J Int AIDS Soc 2023; 26:e26054. [PMID: 36600479 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.26054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sexualized drug use (SDU), the use of psychoactive drugs in the context of sexual intercourse, has been identified as a risk factor for HIV among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Asia. Given the distinct social and cultural context of same-sex relationships and drug-using practice in Asia, we aimed to describe the prevalence of SDU in East and South Asian countries and its associations with condomless anal sex (CAI) and HIV status. Synthesizing SDU research in this region, including SDU definitions, prevalence and outcomes, provides insights to inform future research and improved programme planning, resourcing and advocacy. METHODS We systematically searched OVID Medline, OVID EMBASE, OVID Global Health, CINAHL, PsycINFO and SCOPUS publication databases for scientific articles published from 1990 to 2022 measuring SDU among MSM in East and South Asian countries. A narrative synthesis was utilized to describe key study attributes and findings, and meta-analyses using random pooled effect models were used to estimate SDU prevalence and its associations with CAI and HIV status. Subgroup meta-analyses, sensitivity analysis and assessment of publication bias examined potential sources of heterogeneity for the pooled SDU prevalence estimates. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Of the 1788 publications screened, 49 publications met the selection criteria and 18 were suitable for meta-analyses. Findings highlight SDU definitions distinct from other regions but inconsistencies in the definition of SDU between studies that have been highlighted in research elsewhere. The pooled prevalence of recent SDU (past 12 months) was 13% (95% CI = 10-16%; I2 = 97.6) but higher when studies utilized self-administered surveys (15%; 95% CI = 12-19%; p<0.05). SDU was associated with greater odds of CAI (pooled odds ratio [OR] = 3.21; 95% CI = 1.82-5.66) and living with diagnosed HIV (OR = 4.73; 95% CI = 2.27-8.21). CONCLUSIONS SDU is common among MSM in East and South Asian countries, but varying SDU definitions limit between-study comparisons. Responses to SDU-related harms should consider local contexts, including specific drug types used and their relative risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Nevendorff
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- HIV AIDS Research Center, Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, South Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Sophia E Schroeder
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Adam Bourne
- Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mark Stoové
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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17
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Wallace J, Richmond J, Howell J, Hajarizadeh B, Power J, Treloar C, Revill PA, Cowie B, Wang S, Stoové M, Pedrana A, Hellard M. Exploring the Public Health and Social Implications of Future Curative Hepatitis B Interventions. Viruses 2022; 14:v14112542. [PMID: 36423153 PMCID: PMC9693003 DOI: 10.3390/v14112542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B is a significant global health issue where the 296 million people estimated to live with the infection risk liver disease or cancer without clinical intervention. The World Health Organization has committed to eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, with future curative hepatitis B interventions potentially revolutionizing public health responses to hepatitis B, and being essential for viral hepatitis elimination. Understanding the social and public health implications of any cure is imperative for its successful implementation. This exploratory research, using semi-structured qualitative interviews with a broad range of professional stakeholders identifies the public health elements needed to ensure that a hepatitis B cure can be accessed by all people with hepatitis B. Issues highlighted by the experience of hepatitis C cure access include preparatory work to reorientate policy settings, develop resourcing options, and the appropriateness of health service delivery models. While the form and complexity of curative hepatitis B interventions are to be determined, addressing current disparities in cascade of care figures is imperative with implementation models needing to respond to the cultural contexts, social implications, and health needs of people with hepatitis B, with cure endpoints and discourse being contested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Wallace
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
- Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, Latrobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-432850708
| | | | - Jessica Howell
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | | | - Jennifer Power
- Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, Latrobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia
| | - Carla Treloar
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Peter A. Revill
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Benjamin Cowie
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Viral Hepatitis, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Su Wang
- Center for Asian Health, Saint Barnabas Medical Center, RWJBarnabas-Rutgers Medical Group, Florham Park, NJ 07039, USA
| | - Mark Stoové
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | | | - Margaret Hellard
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Health & Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
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18
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Tamrat T, Chandir S, Alland K, Pedrana A, Shah MT, Footitt C, Snyder J, Ratanaprayul N, Siddiqi DA, Nazneen N, Syah IF, Wong R, Lubell-Doughtie P, Utami AD, Anwar K, Ali H, Labrique AB, Say L, Shankar AH, Mehl GL. Digitalization of routine health information systems: Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan. Bull World Health Organ 2022; 100:590-600. [PMID: 36188022 PMCID: PMC9511663 DOI: 10.2471/blt.22.287816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To describe a systematic process of transforming paper registers into a digital system optimized to enhance service provision and fulfil reporting requirements. Methods We designed a formative study around primary health workers providing reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health services in three countries in Bangladesh, Indonesia and Pakistan. The study ran from November 2014 to June 2018. We developed a prototype digital application after conducting a needs assessment of health workers' responsibilities, workflows, routine data requirements and service delivery needs. Methods included desk reviews, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews; data mapping of paper registers; observations of health workers; co-design workshops with health workers; and usability testing. Finally, we conducted an observational feasibility assessment to monitor uptake of the application. Findings Researchers reviewed a total of 17 paper registers across the sites, which we transformed into seven modules within a digital application running on mobile devices. Modules corresponded to the services provided, including household enumeration, antenatal care, family planning, immunization, nutrition and child health. A total of 65 health workers used the modules during the feasibility assessment, and average weekly form submissions ranged from 8 to 234, depending on the health worker and their responsibilities. We also observed variability in the use of modules, requiring consistent monitoring support for health workers. Conclusion Lessons learnt from this study shaped key global initiatives and resulted in a software global good. The deployment of digital systems requires well-designed applications, change management and strengthening human resources to realize and sustain health system gains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tigest Tamrat
- UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Avenue Appia 20, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland
| | | | - Kelsey Alland
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, United States of America (USA)
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Summit Institute for Development, Mataram, Indonesia
| | | | | | | | - Natschja Ratanaprayul
- Department of Digital Health and Innovations, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Khaerul Anwar
- Institute for Health Worker Training of West Nusa Tenggara Province, Mataram, Indonesia
| | - Hasmot Ali
- JiVitA Maternal and Child Health & Nutrition Research Project, Rangpur, Bangladesh
| | - Alain B Labrique
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, United States of America (USA)
| | - Lale Say
- UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Avenue Appia 20, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland
| | - Anuraj H Shankar
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit–Indonesia, University of Oxford, Oxford, England
| | - Garrett Livingston Mehl
- Department of Digital Health and Innovations, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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19
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Schroeder SE, Bourne A, Doyle JS, Hellard ME, Stoové M, Pedrana A. Constructing a 'target population': A critical analysis of public health discourse on substance use among gay and bisexual men, 2000-2020. Int J Drug Policy 2022; 108:103808. [PMID: 35914477 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2022.103808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gay and bisexual men (GBM) have higher substance use prevalences than general population samples - often attributed to stigmatisation of sexual minority identities. We examined how influential public health research on substance use among GBM interprets this behaviour and what GBM-specific identities emerge through the discourses employed. METHODS We searched Web of Science for publications on substance use among GBM, selecting 60 of the most cited papers published during 2000-2020. We studied the language used to describe and interpret drug-using behaviour using critical discourse analysis, focusing on interpretive repertoires and subject positions. RESULTS Three distinct discursive tendencies were identified. First, in constructing a target population, GBM who use illicit drugs are positioned as deficient, socially irresponsible, and maladapted to dealing with stigmatisation and HIV risks. Second, in shifting the focus beyond the individual, the gay community is conceptualised as offering a safe space for socialisation. Nonetheless, gay community spaces are problematised as promoting substance use among vulnerable GBM through aggravating loneliness and normalising drug use as a form of maladaptive (avoidance) coping. Third, counterdiscursive movements add nuance, context, and comparisons that relativise rather than generalise substance use and focus on pleasure and self-determination. Such discourses centre the need for interventions that disrupt homophobic socio-structures instead of individualising approaches to limit non-conformity. CONCLUSION 'Expert' assessments of substance use among GBM perpetuate pathologising understandings of this behaviour and promote abject subject positions, contributing to perpetuations of intergroup stigma and social exclusion based on drug and sexual practices. Our findings highlight the need for deliberate and critical engagement with prior research and a conscious effort to disrupt dominant discourses on GBM's substance use.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Schroeder
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Australia.
| | - A Bourne
- Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Australia
| | - J S Doyle
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - M E Hellard
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - M Stoové
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Australia
| | - A Pedrana
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Australia
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20
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Traeger MW, van Santen DK, Sacks‐Davis R, Asselin J, Carter A, Doyle JS, Pedrana A, Wilkinson AL, Howell J, Thatcher R, Didlick J, Donovan B, Guy R, Hellard ME, Stoové MA. Impact of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions on hepatitis C testing in Australian primary care services providing care for people who inject drugs. J Viral Hepat 2022; 29:908-918. [PMID: 35722739 PMCID: PMC9350356 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
In 2020, the Australian state of Victoria experienced the longest COVID-19 lockdowns of any jurisdiction, with two lockdowns starting in March and July, respectively. Lockdowns may impact progress towards eliminating hepatitis C through reductions in hepatitis C testing. To examine the impact of lockdowns on hepatitis C testing in Victoria, de-identified data were extracted from a network of 11 services that specialize in the care of people who inject drugs (PWID). Interrupted time-series analyses estimated weekly changes in hepatitis C antibody and RNA testing from 1 January 2019 to 14 May 2021 and described temporal changes in testing associated with lockdowns. Interruptions were defined at the weeks corresponding to the start of the first lockdown (week 14) and the start (week 80) and end (week 95) of the second lockdown. Pre-COVID, an average of 80.6 antibody and 25.7 RNA tests were performed each week. Following the first lockdown in Victoria, there was an immediate drop of 23.2 antibody tests and 8.6 RNA tests per week (equivalent to a 31% and 46% drop, respectively). Following the second lockdown, there was an immediate drop of 17.2 antibody tests and 4.6 RNA tests per week (equivalent to a 26% and 33% drop, respectively). With testing and case finding identified as a key challenge to Australia achieving hepatitis C elimination targets, the cumulative number of testing opportunities missed during lockdowns may prolong efforts to find, diagnose and engage or reengage in care of the remaining population of PWID living with hepatitis C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael W. Traeger
- Burnet InstituteMelbourneVictoriaAustralia,School of Public Health and Preventive MedicineMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Daniela K. van Santen
- Burnet InstituteMelbourneVictoriaAustralia,School of Public Health and Preventive MedicineMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia,Department of Infectious Disease, Research and PreventionPublic Health Service of AmsterdamAmsterdamthe Netherlands
| | - Rachel Sacks‐Davis
- Burnet InstituteMelbourneVictoriaAustralia,School of Public Health and Preventive MedicineMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | | | - Allison Carter
- Kirby InstituteUNSW SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia,Faculty of Health SciencesSimon Fraser UniversityVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada,Australian Human Rights InstituteUNSW SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Joseph S. Doyle
- Burnet InstituteMelbourneVictoriaAustralia,Department of Infectious DiseasesThe Alfred and Monash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Burnet InstituteMelbourneVictoriaAustralia,School of Public Health and Preventive MedicineMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Anna L. Wilkinson
- Burnet InstituteMelbourneVictoriaAustralia,School of Public Health and Preventive MedicineMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Jessica Howell
- Burnet InstituteMelbourneVictoriaAustralia,Department of GastroenterologySt Vincent's HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia,Department of MedicineUniversity of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | | | - John Didlick
- Hepatitis AustraliaCanberraAustralian Capital TerritoryAustralia
| | - Basil Donovan
- Kirby InstituteUNSW SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia,Sydney Sexual Health CentreSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Rebecca Guy
- Kirby InstituteUNSW SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Margaret E. Hellard
- Burnet InstituteMelbourneVictoriaAustralia,Department of Infectious DiseasesThe Alfred and Monash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia,Peter Doherty InstituteMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Mark A. Stoové
- Burnet InstituteMelbourneVictoriaAustralia,School of Public Health and Preventive MedicineMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
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21
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Dawe J, Wilkinson AL, Asselin J, Carter A, Pedrana A, Traeger MW, Thomas AJ, Curtis M, Cooper M, Howell J, Doyle JS, Hellard ME, Stoové M. Hepatitis C antibody testing among opioid agonist therapy recipients, Victoria, Australia, 2012 to 2020. International Journal of Drug Policy 2022; 104:103696. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2022.103696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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22
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Draper BL, Yee WL, Shilton S, Bowring A, Htay H, Nwe N, Markby J, Kyi KP, Easterbrook P, Naing W, Win TM, Aung KS, Howell J, Pedrana A, Hellard M. Feasibility of decentralised, task-shifted hepatitis C testing and treatment services in urban Myanmar: implications for scale-up. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e059639. [PMID: 35504640 PMCID: PMC9066562 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-059639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the feasibility considerations for a decentralised, one-stop-shop model of care implemented in Yangon, Myanmar. SETTING Two primary care level clinics in urban Yangon, Myanmar. DESIGN This is a feasibility study of a highly effective care model. Using Intervention Complexity Framework by Gericke et al, we collated and analysed programmatic data and evaluation data to outline key project implementation requirements and experiences. PARTICIPANTS Programmatic data were collected from clinical records, GeneXpert device test and maintenance reports, national guidelines, product and device instructions and site monitoring visit reports. Healthcare providers involved in delivering care model contributed interview data. RESULTS The main feasibility considerations are appropriate storage for test kits and treatments (in response to temperature and humidity requirements), installation of a continuous stable electricity supply for the GeneXpert device, air-conditioning for the laboratory room hosting GeneXpert, access to a laboratory for pretreatment assessments and clear referral pathways for specialist consultation when required. Lessons from our project implementation experiences included the extensive time requirements for patient education, the importance of regular error monitoring and stock storage reviews and that flexible appointment scheduling and robust reminder system likely contributed to high retention in care. CONCLUSIONS Detailed documentation and dissemination of feasibility requirements and implementation considerations is vital to assist others to successfully implement a similar model of care elsewhere. We provide 10 recommendations for successful implementation. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03939013 on May 6, 2019. This manuscript presents post-results data on feasibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridget Louise Draper
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia
| | - Win Lei Yee
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute Myanmar, Yangon, Myanmar
| | | | - Anna Bowring
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hla Htay
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute Myanmar, Yangon, Myanmar
| | | | | | | | - Philippa Easterbrook
- Department of Global HIV, Hepatitis, and STI Programmes, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Win Naing
- Myanmar Liver Foundation, Yangon, Myanmar
- Yangon Specialty Hospital, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Thin Mar Win
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute Myanmar, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Khin Sanda Aung
- National Hepatitis Control Program, Department of Public Health, Ministry of Health and Sports, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Jessica Howell
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia
- Health Services Research and Implementation, Monash Partners, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia
- Hepatitis Services, Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Doherty Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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23
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Howell J, Traeger MW, Williams B, Layton C, Doyle JS, Latham N, Draper B, Bramwell F, Membrey D, McPherson M, Roney J, Stoové M, Thompson AJ, Hellard ME, Pedrana A. The impact of point-of-care hepatitis C testing in needle and syringe exchange programs on linkage to care and treatment uptake among people who inject drugs: An Australian pilot study. J Viral Hepat 2022; 29:375-384. [PMID: 35274403 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Point-of-care (POC) diagnostics overcome barriers to conventional hepatitis C (HCV) testing in people who inject drugs. This study assessed impact on hepatitis C treatment uptake of POC HCV testing in needle and syringe exchange programs (NSPs). Rapid EC was a single-arm interventional pilot study of HCV POC testing conducted in three inner-city community clinics with NSPs. Twelve months after the POC testing, a retrospective medical record and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme audit was performed to determine the number of HCV RNA-positive participants who were prescribed HCV treatment. 70 HCV RNA-positive Rapid EC study participants were included. 44 (63%) were prescribed DAAs; 26 (59%) completed treatment and 15 (34%) had SVR testing, all of whom were cured. Age ≥ 40 years (aOR 3.45, 95% CI 1.10-11.05, p = .03) and secondary school education (aOR 5.8, 95% CI 1.54-21.80, p = .009) had higher likelihood of being prescribed DAAs, whereas homelessness was inversely associated with prescription of DAAs (aOR 0.30, 95% CI 0.09-1.04, p = .057). Median time to receive a DAA script from date of diagnosis was seven days (IQR 0 to 14 days), and time to filling the DAA prescription was 2 days (IQR 0-12 days). In conclusion, provision of POC testing through NSPs was effective for linking new clients to HCV treatment and reduced the time to treatment. Further studies are needed to define the most cost-effective use of POC testing in models of care for people who inject drugs to increase HCV treatment uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Howell
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael W Traeger
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bridget Williams
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Chloe Layton
- Cohealth, General Practice, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joseph S Doyle
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ned Latham
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bridget Draper
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Dean Membrey
- Cohealth, General Practice, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Maggie McPherson
- North Richmond Community Health, General Practice, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Janine Roney
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mark Stoové
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alexander J Thompson
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Margaret E Hellard
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Cohealth, General Practice, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Doherty Institute and School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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24
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Wilkinson AL, van Santen DK, Traeger MW, Sacks-Davis R, Asselin J, Scott N, Harney BL, Doyle JS, El-Hayek C, Howell J, Bramwell F, McManus H, Donovan B, Stoové M, Hellard M, Pedrana A. Hepatitis C incidence among patients attending primary care health services that specialise in the care of people who inject drugs, Victoria, Australia, 2009 to 2020. Int J Drug Policy 2022; 103:103655. [PMID: 35349964 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2022.103655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Monitoring trends in hepatitis C virus (HCV) incidence is critical for evaluating strategies aimed at eliminating HCV as a public health threat. We estimate HCV incidence and assess trends in incidence over time among primary care patients. METHODS Data were routinely extracted, linked electronic medical records from 12 primary care health services. Patients included were aged ≥16 years, tested HCV antibody negative on their first test recorded and had at least one subsequent HCV antibody or RNA test (January 2009-December 2020). HCV incident infections were defined as a positive HCV antibody or RNA test. A generalised linear model assessed the association between HCV incidence and calendar year. RESULTS In total, 6711 patients contributed 17,098 HCV test records, 210 incident HCV infections and 19,566 person-years; incidence was 1.1 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.9 to 1.2). Among 559 (8.2%) patients ever prescribed opioid-related pharmacotherapy (ORP) during the observation period, 135 infections occurred during 2,082 person-years (incidence rate of 6.5 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 5.4 to 7.7)). HCV incidence declined 2009-2020 overall (incidence rate ratio per calendar year 0.8 (95% CI: 0.8 to 0.9) and among patients ever prescribed ORT (incidence rate ratio per calendar year 0.9, 95% CI: 0.75 to 1.0). CONCLUSION HCV incidence declined among patients at primary care health services including among patients ever prescribed ORP and during the period following increased access to DAA therapy. SUMMARY Among a retrospective cohort of ∼6,700 primary care health services patients, this study estimated a hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection incidence of 1.1 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval: 0.9 to 1.2). HCV infection incidence declined between 2009 and 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Lee Wilkinson
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Daniela K van Santen
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, Research and Prevention, Public Health Service of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Michael W Traeger
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Rachel Sacks-Davis
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jason Asselin
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nick Scott
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Brendan L Harney
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Joseph S Doyle
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Carol El-Hayek
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jessica Howell
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Mark Stoové
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Doherty Institute and Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3000, Australia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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25
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Heath K, Altermatt A, Saich F, Pedrana A, Fletcher-Lartey S, Bowring AL, Stoové M, Danchin M, Kaufman J, Gibney KB, Hellard M. Intent to Be Vaccinated against COVID-19 in Victoria, Australia. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10020209. [PMID: 35214668 PMCID: PMC8878999 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10020209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: High vaccine uptake requires strong public support, acceptance, and willingness. Methods: A longitudinal cohort study gathered survey data every four weeks between 1 October 2020 and 9 November 2021 in Victoria, Australia. Data were analysed for 686 participants aged 18 years and older. Results: Vaccine intention in our cohort increased from 60% in October 2020 to 99% in November 2021. Vaccine intention increased in all demographics, but longitudinal trends in vaccine intention differed by age, employment as a healthcare worker, presence of children in the household, and highest qualification attained. Acceptance of vaccine mandates increased from 50% in October 2020 to 71% in November 2021. Acceptance of vaccine mandates increased in all age groups except 18–25 years; acceptance also varied by gender and highest qualification attained. The main reasons for not intending to be vaccinated included safety concerns, including blood clots, and vaccine efficacy. Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccination campaigns should be informed by understanding of the sociodemographic drivers of vaccine acceptance to enable socially and culturally relevant guidance and ensure equitable vaccine coverage. Vaccination policies should be applied judiciously to avoid polarisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Heath
- Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; (A.A.); (F.S.); (A.P.); (S.F.-L.); (A.L.B.); (M.S.); (M.H.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Aimée Altermatt
- Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; (A.A.); (F.S.); (A.P.); (S.F.-L.); (A.L.B.); (M.S.); (M.H.)
| | - Freya Saich
- Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; (A.A.); (F.S.); (A.P.); (S.F.-L.); (A.L.B.); (M.S.); (M.H.)
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; (A.A.); (F.S.); (A.P.); (S.F.-L.); (A.L.B.); (M.S.); (M.H.)
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 533 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Stephanie Fletcher-Lartey
- Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; (A.A.); (F.S.); (A.P.); (S.F.-L.); (A.L.B.); (M.S.); (M.H.)
| | - Anna L. Bowring
- Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; (A.A.); (F.S.); (A.P.); (S.F.-L.); (A.L.B.); (M.S.); (M.H.)
| | - Mark Stoové
- Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; (A.A.); (F.S.); (A.P.); (S.F.-L.); (A.L.B.); (M.S.); (M.H.)
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 533 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Margaret Danchin
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia;
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia;
- Department General Medicine, The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Jessica Kaufman
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia;
- Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Katherine B. Gibney
- The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Department of Infectious Diseases, Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne, 792 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia;
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; (A.A.); (F.S.); (A.P.); (S.F.-L.); (A.L.B.); (M.S.); (M.H.)
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 533 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
- Doherty Institute and School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital, 55 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
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26
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Draper B, Yee WL, Pedrana A, Kyi KP, Qureshi H, Htay H, Naing W, Thompson AJ, Hellard M, Howell J. Reducing liver disease-related deaths in the Asia-Pacific: the important role of decentralised and non-specialist led hepatitis C treatment for cirrhotic patients. Lancet Reg Health West Pac 2022; 20:100359. [PMID: 35024676 PMCID: PMC8733182 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2021.100359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Bridget Draper
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute Melbourne, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute Melbourne, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University Melbourne, Australia.,Health Services Research and Implementation, Monash Partners, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Huma Qureshi
- Gastroenterologist, Doctors Plaza, Clifton, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Hla Htay
- Burnet Institute Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Win Naing
- Myanmar Liver Foundation.,Yangon Specialty Hospital, Myanmar
| | - Alexander J Thompson
- St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute Melbourne, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University Melbourne, Australia.,Hepatitis Services, Department of Infectious Diseases Alfred Hospital Melbourne Australia.,Doherty Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jessica Howell
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute Melbourne, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University Melbourne, Australia.,St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Australia
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27
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Djordjevic F, Ryan K, Gunn J, Brener L, O'Keefe D, Draper B, Schroeder S, Gold J, Treloar C, Broady T, Dietze P, Hellard M, Pedrana A. Health service utilization and experiences of stigma amongst people who inject drugs in Melbourne, Australia. J Viral Hepat 2021; 28:1738-1743. [PMID: 34510655 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Whilst the testing and treatment of people who inject drugs (PWID) in Australia is a priority for local hepatitis C (HCV) elimination efforts, perceived stigma related to injecting drug use (IDU) has been identified as a major barrier for PWID engaging in health services. We used data from the EC Experience cohort study to explore associations between IDU-related perceived stigma and the number of different health services accessed by PWID in Melbourne, Australia. Data from the baseline questionnaire were used. Primary outcome was self-reported experience of stigma due to IDU (never, rarely, sometimes, often, always) in the previous 12 months. An ordinal logistic regression model assessed the association between stigma experienced and the number of different health services used (1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-10 different services) adjusted for recent IDU and key socio-demographics. Between September 2018 and February 2020, 281 participants were recruited from four health services. Sixty-nine per cent were male, median age was 42, 83% reported past-month IDU, 34% had never tested/tested >12 months, 8% tested negative <12 months, 43% were HCV-positive but not treated and 16% had been treated. Those accessing 5-6 services had 2.2 times greater odds of experiencing stigma (95% CI 0.86-6.65) compared with those using <5 services and those reporting 7-10 services had 2.43 times greater odds of experiencing stigma (95% CI 0.85-6.92) compared with those accessing <7 services. In conclusion, experiences of stigma may not necessarily be a barrier for PWID to access health services, but high rates of health service use may further expose, exacerbate or exaggerate stigma amongst PWID. Further examination of how stigma may be in/directly impact on hepatitis C treatment uptake is important and place-based interventions aimed at reducing stigma experienced by PWID may be needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filip Djordjevic
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Behaviours and Health Risks Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Kathleen Ryan
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Jack Gunn
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Loren Brener
- Centre for Social Research in Health, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Daniel O'Keefe
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Behaviours and Health Risks Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Bridget Draper
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Centre for Social Research in Health, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sophia Schroeder
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Judy Gold
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Carla Treloar
- Centre for Social Research in Health, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tim Broady
- Centre for Social Research in Health, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Paul Dietze
- Behaviours and Health Risks Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Centre for Social Research in Health, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Carlton, Vic., Australia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Centre for Social Research in Health, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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28
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Draper BL, Htay H, Pedrana A, Yee WL, Howell J, Pyone Kyi K, Naing W, Sanda Aung K, Markby J, Easterbrook P, Bowring A, Aung W, Sein YY, Nwe N, Myint KT, Shilton S, Hellard M. Outcomes of the CT2 study: A 'one-stop-shop' for community-based hepatitis C testing and treatment in Yangon, Myanmar. Liver Int 2021; 41:2578-2589. [PMID: 34153155 PMCID: PMC8596916 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND With the advent of low-cost generic direct-acting antivirals (DAA), hepatitis C (HCV) elimination is now achievable even in low-/middle-income settings. We assessed the feasibility and effectiveness of a simplified clinical pathway using point-of-care diagnostic testing and non-specialist-led care in a decentralized, community-based setting. METHODS This feasibility study was conducted at two sites in Yangon, Myanmar: one for people who inject drugs (PWID), and the other for people with liver disease. Participants underwent on-site rapid anti-HCV testing and HCV RNA testing using GeneXpert(R) . General practitioners determined whether participants started DAA therapy immediately or required specialist evaluation. Primary outcome measures were progression through the HCV care cascade, including uptake of RNA testing and treatment, and treatment outcomes. FINDINGS All 633 participants underwent anti-HCV testing; 606 (96%) were anti-HCV positive and had HCV RNA testing. Of 606 tested, 535 (88%) were RNA positive and had pre-treatment assessments; 30 (6%) completed specialist evaluation. Of 535 RNA positive participants, 489 (91%) were eligible to initiate DAAs, 477 (98%) completed DAA therapy and 421 achieved SVR12 (92%; 421/456). Outcomes were similar by site: PWID site: 91% [146/161], and liver disease site: 93% [275/295]). Compensated cirrhotic patients were treated in the community; they achieved an SVR12 of 83% (19/23). Median time from RNA test to DAA initiation was 3 days (IQR 2-5). CONCLUSIONS Delivering a simplified, non-specialist-led HCV treatment pathway in a decentralized community setting was feasible in Yangon, Myanmar; retention in care and treatment success rates were very high. This care model could be integral in scaling up HCV services in Myanmar and other low- and middle-income settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridget Louise Draper
- Disease Elimination ProgramBurnet InstituteMelbourneAustralia,School of Public Health and Preventive MedicineMonash UniversityMelbourneAustralia
| | | | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination ProgramBurnet InstituteMelbourneAustralia,School of Public Health and Preventive MedicineMonash UniversityMelbourneAustralia,Health Services Research and ImplementationMonash PartnersMelbourneAustralia
| | | | - Jessica Howell
- Disease Elimination ProgramBurnet InstituteMelbourneAustralia,School of Public Health and Preventive MedicineMonash UniversityMelbourneAustralia,St Vincent’s Hospital MelbourneAustralia,Department of MedicineUniversity of MelbourneMelbourneAustralia
| | | | - Win Naing
- Myanmar Liver FoundationMyanmar,Yangon Specialty HospitalMyanmar
| | - Khin Sanda Aung
- National Hepatitis Control Program, Ministry of Health and SportsMyanmar
| | - Jessica Markby
- Foundation for Innovative New DiagnosticsGenevaSwitzerland
| | - Philippa Easterbrook
- Department of Global HIV, Hepatitis, and STI ProgrammesWorld Health OrganizationGenevaSwitzerland
| | - Anna Bowring
- Disease Elimination ProgramBurnet InstituteMelbourneAustralia
| | | | | | - Nwe Nwe
- Foundation for Innovative New DiagnosticsGenevaSwitzerland
| | | | | | - Margaret Hellard
- Disease Elimination ProgramBurnet InstituteMelbourneAustralia,School of Public Health and Preventive MedicineMonash UniversityMelbourneAustralia,Hepatitis Service, Department of Infectious DiseasesAlfred HospitalMelbourneAustralia,Doherty InstituteMelbourneAustralia,School of Population and Global HealthUniversity of MelbourneMelbourneAustralia
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Palmer AY, Chan K, Gold J, Layton C, Elsum I, Hellard M, Stoove M, Doyle JS, Pedrana A, Scott N. A modelling analysis of financial incentives for hepatitis C testing and treatment uptake delivered through a community-based testing campaign. J Viral Hepat 2021; 28:1624-1634. [PMID: 34415639 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Financial incentives may reduce opportunity costs associated with people who become lost to follow-up in hepatitis C treatment programs. We estimated the impact that different financial incentive amounts would need to have on retention in care to maintain the same unit cost per (1) RNA-positive person completing testing (defined as awareness of RNA status) and (2) RNA diagnosed person initiating treatment. Costing data were obtained from a 2019 community-based testing campaign focused on engaging people who inject drugs. For different financial incentive amounts, we modelled the corresponding improvements in retention in care that would be needed to maintain the same overall (1) unit cost per testing completion and (2) unit cost per treatment initiation. In the testing campaign, the unit cost per RNA-positive person completing testing was A$3215 and the unit cost per RNA diagnosed person initiating treatment was A$1055. Modelling found that an incentive of A$500 per RNA-positive person completing testing would result in more people completing testing for the same unit cost if the percentage of attendees receiving their test results increased from 63% to 74%. An incentive of A$200 per RNA diagnosed person initiating treatment would result in more people initiating treatment for the same unit cost if the percentage initiating treatment increased from 67% to 83%. Monetary incentives for completing testing and initiating treatment may be an effective way to increase retention in care without increasing the overall unit cost of completing testing/initiating treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Y Palmer
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kico Chan
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Judy Gold
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Chloe Layton
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Imogen Elsum
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mark Stoove
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joseph S Doyle
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nick Scott
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Xiao Y, Wallace J, Ahad M, van Gemert C, Thompson AJ, Doyle J, Lam HY, Chan K, Bennett G, Adamson E, Yussf N, Tang A, Pedrana A, Stoove M, Hellard M, Howell J. Assessing the feasibility, acceptability and impacts of an education program on hepatitis B testing uptake among ethnic Chinese in Australia: results of a randomised controlled pilot study. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:1861. [PMID: 34654385 PMCID: PMC8518279 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11916-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In Australia, Chinese migrants are among the populations most affected by hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection but often experience late diagnosis or access to clinical care. This study aims to explore approaches to increase HBV testing in Australia’s Chinese community and inform evaluation planning, specifically to i) assess the feasibility and acceptability of HBV educational programs, and ii) compare HBV testing uptake in people receiving a tailored education resource focussing on liver cancer prevention compared with a standard HBV education package. Methods This is a pre-post mixed-methods pilot and feasibility study. People of Chinese ethnicity and unsure of their HBV infection or immunity status were recruited from ten community sites in Melbourne, Australia in 2019–2020. Participants were randomised to receive an education package (comprised of a leaflet and in-person one-on-one educational session) with a focus on either 1) standard HBV-related information, or 2) liver cancer prevention. Participants completed a baseline questionnaire prior to receiving the intervention and were followed up at 6 months’ time for a questionnaire and an opt-in semi-structured interview. Primary study outcomes included feasibility of study procedures, measured by recruitment, participation, and retention rates; acceptability of the education program assessed by acceptability scores; and HBV testing uptake rate in each arm. Secondary outcomes include HBV-related knowledge change, assessed by pre-post comparison; and factors affecting participants’ testing behaviour analysed using qualitative data. Results Fifty-four participants received an education package; baseline and follow-up data from 33 (61%) were available. The study procedures of recruitment and retention were feasible; the acceptability of the education program was moderate with improved HBV-related knowledge observed. Four participants self-reported being tested: one (1/15, 7%) in the standard HBV information group and three (3/18, 17%) in the liver cancer prevention information group. Factors identified as affecting testing included perceived relevance and seriousness of HBV, healthcare access and costs of testing, and perceptions of the role of primary care providers in HBV-related care. Conclusion A tailored education program targeting ethnic Chinese in Australia was feasible with moderate acceptability. A larger study is required to determine if a liver cancer prevention message would improve HBV testing uptake in Chinese community than standard HBV education message. Supports from healthcare providers, community-based testing programs, and public health education programs are likely needed to motivate diagnostic testing among Chinese people at risk of HBV infection. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-11916-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinzong Xiao
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia.,Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, Victoria, 3065, Australia.,University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Jack Wallace
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia.,La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3086, Australia.,Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Australia, Kensington, New South Wales, 2052, Australia
| | - Marvad Ahad
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Caroline van Gemert
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia.,University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Alexander J Thompson
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, Victoria, 3065, Australia.,University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Joseph Doyle
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Ho Yin Lam
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Kico Chan
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Gabrielle Bennett
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, Victoria, 3065, Australia
| | - Emily Adamson
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia.,Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Nafisa Yussf
- Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia.,The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
| | - Aurora Tang
- Hepatitis Victoria, North Melbourne, Victoria, 3051, Australia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Mark Stoove
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia. .,University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia. .,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia. .,Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia. .,The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia.
| | - Jessica Howell
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia. .,Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, Victoria, 3065, Australia. .,University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia. .,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia.
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Gunn J, McNally S, Ryan J, Layton C, Bryant M, Walker S, O'Mahony C, Pedrana A. Barriers to hepatitis C treatment among secondary needle and syringe program clients and opportunities to intervene. Int J Drug Policy 2021; 96:103387. [PMID: 34330571 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND At least 160,000 Australians are living with hepatitis C (HCV), many of whom are people who inject drugs and access needle and syringe programs (NSP). Secondary NSPs provide injecting equipment via health services that are not dedicated to the provision of services to people who inject drugs; these sites could be a suitable space to increase engagement of people who inject drugs in HCV treatment. Drawing on data from a pilot study exploring the potential of upscaling linkage to HCV care in secondary NSPs, the aim of this research was to explore barriers and enablers to HCV treatment for clients who use these services. METHODS We interviewed 34 people who inject drugs (who self-reported HCV positivity) from six secondary NSPs in urban and regional Victoria, Australia in 2018. Fifty per cent were male, with ages ranging from 33 to 58. Twenty-two (65%) had never received HCV treatment and none had experience with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment. Interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically. Field notes from a program evaluation with feedback from secondary NSP staff was also used as a secondary data source. RESULTS Five themes encompassing a set of contrasting barriers and enablers to accessing HCV care through secondary NSPs were uncovered. Themes included 'misinformation' vs. 'multiple trusted information sources; 'lack of symptoms and motivation' vs. 'benefits of cure'; 'competing priorities' vs. 'willingness and readiness to be cured'; 'unsupportive relationships with staff' vs. 'supportive relationships with staff'; and 'inaccessibility and stigma in health services' vs. 'enhanced support'. Secondary program evaluation data also highlighted that secondary NSP staff were under-resourced and had limited capacity to implement HCV care linkage and information. CONCLUSION We identified contrasting barriers and opportunities for accessing DAAs among a sample of secondary NSP clients and staff. Interventions that consider individual, provider and health system level factors are needed if secondary NSP services are to become a suitable setting to initiate conversations with clients around HCV treatment and provide linkages to care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Gunn
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
| | | | - John Ryan
- Penington Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Chloe Layton
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mellissa Bryant
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Shelley Walker
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Scott N, Saul A, Spelman T, Stoove M, Pedrana A, Saeri A, Grundy E, Smith L, Toole M, McIntyre CR, Crabb BS, Hellard M. The introduction of a mandatory mask policy was associated with significantly reduced COVID-19 cases in a major metropolitan city. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0253510. [PMID: 34288910 PMCID: PMC8294480 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Whilst evidence of use of face masks in reducing COVID-19 cases is increasing, the impact of mandatory use across a large population has been difficult to assess. Introduction of mandatory mask use on July 22, 2020 during a resurgence of COVID-19 in Melbourne, Australia created a situation that facilitated an assessment of the impact of the policy on the epidemic growth rate as its introduction occurred in the absence of other changes to restrictions. METHODS AND FINDINGS Exponential epidemic growth or decay rates in daily COVID-19 diagnoses were estimated using a non-weighted linear regression of the natural logarithm of the daily cases against time, using a linear spline model with one knot (lspline package in R v 3.6.3). The model's two linear segments pivot around the hinge day, on which the mask policy began to take effect, 8 days following the introduction of the policy. We used two forms of data to assess change in mask usage: images of people wearing masks in public places obtained from a major media outlet and population-based survey data. Potential confounding factors (including daily COVID-19 tests, number of COVID-19 cases among population subsets affected differentially by the mask policy-e.g., healthcare workers) were examined for their impact on the results. Daily cases fitted an exponential growth in the first log-linear segment (k = +0.042, s.e. = 0.007), and fitted an exponential decay in the second (k = -0.023, s.e. = 0.017) log-linear segment. Over a range of reported serial intervals for SARS-CoV-2 infection, these growth rates correspond to a 22-33% reduction in an effective reproduction ratio before and after mandatory mask use. Analysis of images of people in public spaces showed mask usage rose from approximately 43% to 97%. Analysis of survey data found that on the third day before policy introduction, 44% of participants reported "often" or "always" wearing a mask; on the fourth day after, 100% reported "always" doing so. No potentially confounding factors were associated with the observed change in growth rates. CONCLUSIONS The mandatory mask use policy substantially increased public use of masks and was associated with a significant decline in new COVID-19 cases after introduction of the policy. This study strongly supports the use of masks for controlling epidemics in the broader community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick Scott
- The Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Allan Saul
- The Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Mark Stoove
- The Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- The Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alexander Saeri
- BehaviourWorks Australia, Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Emily Grundy
- BehaviourWorks Australia, Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Liam Smith
- BehaviourWorks Australia, Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | | | - Brendan S. Crabb
- The Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Immunology and Pathology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Doherty Institute and School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- The Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Doherty Institute and School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
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Leitinger D, Ryan K, Wilkinson AL, Pedrana A, Hellard M, Stoové M. Implications of HIV Self-Testing for Other Sexually Transmissible Infection Testing and Broader Sexual Health Needs: A Mixed-Methods Study of Gay and Bisexual Men in Australia. Sex Transm Dis 2021; 48:417-423. [PMID: 33122598 DOI: 10.1097/olq.0000000000001324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although HIV self-tests can support frequent HIV testing, their impact on attending clinics for other sexually transmissible infection (STI) testing and sexual health care is largely unknown. We explored intentions to use HIV self-tests and how this might affect patterns of attending sexual health services among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) in Victoria, Australia. METHODS Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men self-completed an online survey between March 10 and June 10, 2019. Among GBM reporting lifetime HIV testing and intentions to self-test at least once annually, we used logistic regression to identify correlates of intending to replace clinic-based HIV testing with self-tests. Qualitative interviews with purposively selected survey participants undertaken between May and June 2019 explored the implications of self-testing on clinic-based sexual health care. RESULTS Of the 279 survey participants, 79 (29%) reported they would replace most or all clinic-based HIV tests with self-tests, with longer time since last testing for HIV and younger age associated with reporting this outcome in the multivariate analysis. Qualitative interviews revealed different perceived roles for self-tests and clinic-based testing, and the importance of integrating HIV self-tests within broader sexual health routines. CONCLUSIONS Although GBM see a distinct role for HIV self-testing, its rollout will likely result in missed opportunities for clinic-based STI testing and education for some GBM, particularly among younger and less-recently tested GBM. Convenient, non-clinic-based approaches to STI testing are needed alongside support platforms to maximize the benefits of HIV self-testing within comprehensive sexual health routines.
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Walker S, Wallace J, Latham N, Saich F, Pedrana A, Hellard M, Treloar C, Marukutira T, Higgs P, Doyle J, Stoové M. "It's time!": A qualitative exploration of the acceptability of hepatitis C notification systems to help eliminate hepatitis C. Int J Drug Policy 2021; 97:103280. [PMID: 34058670 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Australia, the unrestricted and subsidised availability of direct-acting antivirals for people living with hepatitis C has made the elimination of hepatitis C possible. Recent declining treatment uptake, however, may jeopardise the attainment of this goal. Notification data already exist in many jurisdictions but are presently under-utilised. Despite growing interest in the potential use of data to link people diagnosed with hepatitis C to treatment services, little evidence exists on the acceptability and feasibility of this approach. Our study aimed to address this gap and guide future strategies to enhance treatment uptake. METHODS Twenty-seven people with lived experience of injecting drug use and/or hepatitis C participated in two focus groups exploring views on implementing a system of hepatitis C notification follow-up in Australia, that would direct people to treatment and care. Additionally, qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 key informants to examine the ethical, logistical, and regulatory implications of implementation. Data were thematically analysed using the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability - which has been used to assess the acceptability of interventions from the perspectives of intervention deliverers and recipients. RESULTS While there were clear reservations, there was consensus that the potential benefits of using notification data to contact people with hepatitis C, outweigh harms. The method of contact (including by whom and how), whether follow-up should include recent versus historical diagnoses, and if record linkage should be used to enhance follow-up were important considerations. Ethical and logistical concerns were raised about the risk that such an approach could exacerbate stigma and discrimination. CONCLUSION Findings highlight potentially significant benefits of using notifications data to increase access to hepatitis C treatment, a novel approach that can contribute to hepatitis C elimination efforts and prevent hepatitis C-related morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelley Walker
- Burnet Institute, Behaviours and Health Risks Program, 85 Commercial Road, GPO Box 2284, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia.
| | - Jack Wallace
- Burnet Institute, Behaviours and Health Risks Program, 85 Commercial Road, GPO Box 2284, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Ned Latham
- Burnet Institute, Behaviours and Health Risks Program, 85 Commercial Road, GPO Box 2284, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Freya Saich
- Burnet Institute, Behaviours and Health Risks Program, 85 Commercial Road, GPO Box 2284, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Burnet Institute, Behaviours and Health Risks Program, 85 Commercial Road, GPO Box 2284, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Burnet Institute, Behaviours and Health Risks Program, 85 Commercial Road, GPO Box 2284, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Level 2, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia; Doherty Institute and School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, 207 Bouverie St, Carlton, Victoria, 3053, Australia
| | - Carla Treloar
- Centre for Social Research in Health, John Goodsell Building, University of New South Wales (NSW), Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Tafireyi Marukutira
- Burnet Institute, Behaviours and Health Risks Program, 85 Commercial Road, GPO Box 2284, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Peter Higgs
- Burnet Institute, Behaviours and Health Risks Program, 85 Commercial Road, GPO Box 2284, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia; Department of Public Health, La Trobe University, Plenty Rd and Kingsbury Drive, Bundoora, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Joseph Doyle
- Burnet Institute, Behaviours and Health Risks Program, 85 Commercial Road, GPO Box 2284, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Level 2, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Mark Stoové
- Burnet Institute, Behaviours and Health Risks Program, 85 Commercial Road, GPO Box 2284, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
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Hellard M, Pedrana A, Draper B. Affordable treatment and political commitment are crucial to eliminate hepatitis C globally. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 6:414-416. [PMID: 33865506 PMCID: PMC9259283 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-1253(21)00135-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Margaret Hellard
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne 3004, VIC, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Doherty Institute and School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne 3004, VIC, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Bridget Draper
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne 3004, VIC, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Win Han Oo, Win Htike, Cutts JC, Kyawt Mon Win, Kaung Myat Thu, May Chan Oo, Galau Naw Hkawng, Agius PA, Pyae Phyo Htoon, Scott N, Kearney E, Moreira C, Pedrana A, Stoove M, Aung Thi, Ye Win Aung, Min Min Thein, Rosecrans K, Kyi Tun Lwin, Aung Kyi Min, Fowkes FJI. A mobile phone application for malaria case-based reporting to advance malaria surveillance in Myanmar: a mixed methods evaluation. Malar J 2021; 20:167. [PMID: 33771144 PMCID: PMC7995396 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03701-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To achieve malaria elimination in the Greater Mekong Subregion, including Myanmar, it is necessary to ensure all malaria cases are detected, treated, and reported in a timely manner. Mobile phone-based applications for malaria reporting, case management, and surveillance implemented at a community-level may overcome reporting limitations associated with current paper-based reporting (PBR), but their effectiveness in this context is unknown. METHODS A mixed methods evaluation study was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of a national Malaria Case-Based Reporting (MCBR) mobile phone application in improving malaria case reporting compared to the existing PBR reporting system in Myanmar. Methods included secondary analysis of malaria case report data, questionnaires, focus group discussions and field observations of community volunteers, interviews and direct observations of malaria programme stakeholders, and cost analysis. Using a combination of these approaches the following areas were investigated: data quality and completeness, data access and usage, capacity for timely reporting, the acceptability, functionality, and ease of use of the application and facilitators and barriers to its use, and the relative cost of MCBR compared to the PBR system. RESULTS Compared to PBR, MCBR enabled more accurate and complete data to be reported in a much timelier manner, with 63% of MCBR users reporting they transmit rapid diagnostic test outcomes within 24 h, compared to 0% of PBR users. MCBR was favoured by integrated community malaria volunteers and their supervisors because of its efficiency. However, several technical and operational challenges associated with internet coverage, data transmission, and e-literacy were identified and stakeholders reported not being confident to rely solely on MCBR data for programmatic decision-making. CONCLUSIONS Implementation of MCBR provided timely and accurate data for malaria surveillance. Findings from this evaluation study will enable the optimization of an application-based reporting system for malaria monitoring and surveillance in the Greater Mekong Subregion and advance systems to track progress towards, and certify, the achievement of malaria elimination targets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Win Htike
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Julia C Cutts
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Medicine, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Kyawt Mon Win
- National Malaria Control Programme, Ministry of Health and Sports, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar
| | | | | | | | - Paul A Agius
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Nick Scott
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | | | - Alisa Pedrana
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mark Stoove
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Aung Thi
- National Malaria Control Programme, Ministry of Health and Sports, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Freya J I Fowkes
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia. .,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. .,Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
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37
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Howell J, Pedrana A, Schroeder SE, Scott N, Aufegger L, Atun R, Baptista-Leite R, Hirnschall G, ‘t Hoen E, Hutchinson SJ, Lazarus JV, Olufunmilayo L, Peck R, Sharma M, Sohn AH, Thompson A, Thursz M, Wilson D, Hellard M. A global investment framework for the elimination of hepatitis B. J Hepatol 2021; 74:535-549. [PMID: 32971137 PMCID: PMC7505744 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS More than 292 million people are living with hepatitis B worldwide and are at risk of death from cirrhosis and liver cancer. The World Health Organization (WHO) has set global targets for the elimination of viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. However, current levels of global investment in viral hepatitis elimination programmes are insufficient to achieve these goals. METHODS To catalyse political commitment and to encourage domestic and international financing, we used published modelling data and key stakeholder interviews to develop an investment framework to demonstrate the return on investment for viral hepatitis elimination. RESULTS The framework utilises a public health approach to identify evidence-based national activities that reduce viral hepatitis-related morbidity and mortality, as well as international activities and critical enablers that allow countries to achieve maximum impact on health outcomes from their investments - in the context of the WHO's 2030 viral elimination targets. CONCLUSION Focusing on hepatitis B, this health policy paper employs the investment framework to estimate the substantial economic benefits of investing in the elimination of hepatitis B and demonstrates how such investments could be cost saving by 2030. LAY SUMMARY Hepatitis B infection is a major cause of death from liver disease and liver cancer globally. To reduce deaths from hepatitis B infection, we need more people to be tested and treated for hepatitis B. In this paper, we outline a framework of activities to reduce hepatitis B-related deaths and discuss ways in which governments could pay for them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Howell
- Disease Elimination Programme, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination Programme, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sophia E. Schroeder
- Disease Elimination Programme, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nick Scott
- Disease Elimination Programme, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Rifat Atun
- Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ricardo Baptista-Leite
- Universidade Catolica Portuguesa, Lisbon, Portugal,Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Gottfried Hirnschall
- Strategic Information, Global Hepatitis Programme, World Health Organization,Formerly Department of HIV and Global Hepatitis Programme, World Health Organization
| | - Ellen ‘t Hoen
- Global Health Unit, University Medical Centre, Groningen, the Netherlands,Medicines Law & Policy, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sharon J. Hutchinson
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK,Health Protection Scotland, Meridian Court, Cadogan St, Glasgow, UK
| | - Jeffrey V. Lazarus
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lesi Olufunmilayo
- Department of Medicine, Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria
| | | | - Manik Sharma
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Annette H. Sohn
- TREAT Asia/amfAR, Foundation for AIDS Research, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Alexander Thompson
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia,Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mark Thursz
- Department of Hepatology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - David Wilson
- Disease Elimination Programme, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Disease Elimination Programme, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia,Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Australia
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38
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Chan K, Elsum I, Gold J, Layton C, Accadia L, Bryant M, Gunn J, Djordjevic F, Purcell I, Dicka J, Forrest M, Crawford S, Hellard M, Pedrana A. Increasing hepatitis C testing and linkage to care: Results of a testing campaign with incentives at primary care clinics in Melbourne, Australia. J Viral Hepat 2021; 28:569-572. [PMID: 33259117 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kico Chan
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Imogen Elsum
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Judy Gold
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Chloe Layton
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Lisa Accadia
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Mellissa Bryant
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Jack Gunn
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Filip Djordjevic
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Behaviours and Health Risks, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | | | - Jane Dicka
- Harm Reduction Victoria, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Martin Forrest
- Hepatitis Victoria/LiverWELL, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | | | - Margaret Hellard
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Doherty Institute and School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
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39
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Scott N, Palmer A, Delport D, Abeysuriya R, Stuart RM, Kerr CC, Mistry D, Klein DJ, Sacks‐Davis R, Heath K, Hainsworth SW, Pedrana A, Stoove M, Wilson D, Hellard ME. Modelling the impact of relaxing COVID-19 control measures during a period of low viral transmission. Med J Aust 2021; 214:79-83. [PMID: 33207390 PMCID: PMC7753668 DOI: 10.5694/mja2.50845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the risks associated with relaxing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related physical distancing restrictions and lockdown policies during a period of low viral transmission. DESIGN Network-based viral transmission risks in households, schools, workplaces, and a variety of community spaces and activities were simulated in an agent-based model, Covasim. SETTING The model was calibrated for a baseline scenario reflecting the epidemiological and policy environment in Victoria during March-May 2020, a period of low community viral transmission. INTERVENTION Policy changes for easing COVID-19-related restrictions from May 2020 were simulated in the context of interventions that included testing, contact tracing (including with a smartphone app), and quarantine. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Increase in detected COVID-19 cases following relaxation of restrictions. RESULTS Policy changes that facilitate contact of individuals with large numbers of unknown people (eg, opening bars, increased public transport use) were associated with the greatest risk of COVID-19 case numbers increasing; changes leading to smaller, structured gatherings with known contacts (eg, small social gatherings, opening schools) were associated with lower risks. In our model, the rise in case numbers following some policy changes was notable only two months after their implementation. CONCLUSIONS Removing several COVID-19-related restrictions within a short period of time should be undertaken with care, as the consequences may not be apparent for more than two months. Our findings support continuation of work from home policies (to reduce public transport use) and strategies that mitigate the risk associated with re-opening of social venues.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Cliff C Kerr
- Institute for Disease ModelingBellevueWAUnited States of America
| | - Dina Mistry
- Institute for Disease ModelingBellevueWAUnited States of America
| | - Daniel J Klein
- Institute for Disease ModelingBellevueWAUnited States of America
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40
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Pedrana A, Munari S, Stoové M, Doyle J, Hellard M. The phases of hepatitis C elimination: achieving WHO elimination targets. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 6:6-8. [PMID: 33308435 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-1253(20)30366-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Revised: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alisa Pedrana
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Mark Stoové
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Joseph Doyle
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; and Doherty Institute and School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
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41
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Harney B, McColl R, Pedrana A, Morrison E, Doyle J, Hellard M, Higgs P. Letter to the Editor: Recommendations for Implementing Hepatitis C Virus Care in Homeless Shelters: The Stakeholder Perspective. Hepatol Commun 2021; 5:146-147. [PMID: 33437908 PMCID: PMC7789837 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Brendan Harney
- Disease Elimination ProgramBurnet InstituteMelbourneAustralia.,School of Public Health and Preventive MedicineMonash UniversityMelbourneAustralia.,Department of Infectious DiseasesAlfred Health and Monash UniversityMelbourneAustralia
| | - Roisin McColl
- Disease Elimination ProgramBurnet InstituteMelbourneAustralia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination ProgramBurnet InstituteMelbourneAustralia.,School of Public Health and Preventive MedicineMonash UniversityMelbourneAustralia
| | | | - Joseph Doyle
- Disease Elimination ProgramBurnet InstituteMelbourneAustralia.,School of Public Health and Preventive MedicineMonash UniversityMelbourneAustralia.,Department of Infectious DiseasesAlfred Health and Monash UniversityMelbourneAustralia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Disease Elimination ProgramBurnet InstituteMelbourneAustralia.,School of Public Health and Preventive MedicineMonash UniversityMelbourneAustralia.,Department of Infectious DiseasesAlfred Health and Monash UniversityMelbourneAustralia
| | - Peter Higgs
- Disease Elimination ProgramBurnet InstituteMelbourneAustralia.,Department of Public HealthLa Trobe UniversityMelbourneAustralia
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42
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Schroeder S, Pedrana A, Scott N, Hellard M. Authors' response to Letter to the Editor: 'Colombian experience in the management of hepatitis C'. Liver Int 2020; 40:3142-3143. [PMID: 32875663 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Schroeder
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Nick Scott
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Hepatitis Services, Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Doherty Institute and Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
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43
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Azzopardi PS, Willenberg L, Wulan N, Devaera Y, Medise B, Riyanti A, Ansariadi A, Sawyer S, Wiguna T, Kaligis F, Fisher J, Tran T, Agius PA, Borschmann R, Brown A, Cini K, Clifford S, Kennedy EC, Pedrana A, Pham MD, Wake M, Zimmet P, Durrant K, Wiweko B, Luchters S. Direct assessment of mental health and metabolic syndrome amongst Indonesian adolescents: a study design for a mixed-methods study sampled from school and community settings. Glob Health Action 2020; 13:1732665. [PMID: 32174255 PMCID: PMC7144276 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2020.1732665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, with the burden largely borne by people living in low- and middle-income countries. Adolescents are central to NCD control through the potential to modify risks and alter the trajectory of these diseases across the life-course. However, an absence of epidemiological data has contributed to the relative exclusion of adolescents from policies and responses. This paper documents the design of a study to measure the burden of metabolic syndrome (a key risk for NCDs) and poor mental health (a key outcome) amongst Indonesian adolescents. Using a mixed-method design, we sampled 16–18-year-old adolescents from schools and community-based settings across Jakarta and South Sulawesi. Initial formative qualitative enquiry used focus group discussions to understand how young people conceptualise mental health and body weight (separately); what they perceive as determinants of these NCDs; and what responses to these NCDs should involve. These findings informed the design of a quantitative survey that adolescents self-completed electronically. Mental health was measured using the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-Revised (CESD-R) and Kessler-10 (both validated against formal psychiatric interview in a subsample), with the metabolic syndrome measured using biomarkers and anthropometry. The survey also included scales relating to victimisation, connectedness, self-efficacy, body image and quality of life. Adolescents were sampled from schools using a multistage cluster design, and from the community using respondent-driven sampling (RDS). This study will substantially advance the field of NCD measurement amongst adolescents, especially in settings like Indonesia. It demonstrates that high quality, objective measurement is acceptable and feasible, including the collection of biomarkers in a school-based setting. It demonstrates how comparable data can be collected across both in-school and out of school adolescents, allowing a more comprehensive measure of NCD burden, risk and correlates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter S Azzopardi
- Global Adolescent Health Group, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, Royal Children's Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.,Aboriginal Health Equity Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia.,Population Health Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Lisa Willenberg
- Global Adolescent Health Group, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nisaa Wulan
- Global Adolescent Health Group, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Yoga Devaera
- Department of Child Health, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Bernie Medise
- Department of Child Health, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Aida Riyanti
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Ansariadi Ansariadi
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Universitas Hasanuddin, Makassar, Indonesia
| | - Susan Sawyer
- Department of Paediatrics, Royal Children's Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.,Population Health Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Tjhin Wiguna
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Fransiska Kaligis
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Jane Fisher
- Global and Women's Health Unit, School of Population and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Thach Tran
- Global and Women's Health Unit, School of Population and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Paul A Agius
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Rohan Borschmann
- Justice Health Unit, Centre for Health Equity, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alex Brown
- Aboriginal Health Equity Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Karly Cini
- Global Adolescent Health Group, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Population Health Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Susan Clifford
- Department of Paediatrics, Royal Children's Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.,Population Health Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Elissa C Kennedy
- Global Adolescent Health Group, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Minh D Pham
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Melissa Wake
- Population Health Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Paul Zimmet
- Department of Diabetes, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Kelly Durrant
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Budi Wiweko
- Research and Social Services, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
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44
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Veronese V, Traeger M, Oo ZM, Tun TT, Oo NN, Maung H, Hughes C, Pedrana A, Stoové M. HIV incidence and factors associated with testing positive for HIV among men who have sex with men and transgender women in Myanmar: data from community-based HIV testing services. J Int AIDS Soc 2020; 23:e25454. [PMID: 32112538 PMCID: PMC7048670 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction In Myanmar, men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TW) are disproportionately affected by HIV, despite national HIV program scale‐up. However, limited HIV surveillance capacity prevents monitoring of epidemic trends and program impact. This study aimed to estimate HIV prevalence and incidence and explore associated sexual risk behaviours among MSM and TW clients attending HIV testing clinics in Myanmar. Methods An electronic data management system was implemented in two community‐based, MSM and TW ‐tailored HIV testing clinics in Myanmar in August 2016. Unique client identifiers enabled prospective monitoring of service engagement, testing frequency and outcomes. We estimated HIV incidence and rate of HIV diagnosis at baseline testing visit among clients over a 15 month period. Correlates of HIV diagnoses were identified using multivariable logistic regression. Results 2794 MSM and TW were tested for HIV. At their baseline test, 38% of clients reported any previous testing and 93% reported being sexually active over the previous three months, with 74% reporting sex with casual male partners and 28% reporting consistent condom use with casual partners. 291 clients tested positive for HIV for the first time at baseline (10.4%; 95% CI: 9.3 to 11.6). Twelve incident cases were detected among 279 clients receiving ≥2 tests (incidence = 10.1 per 100 person‐years; 95% CI: 5.73 to 17.8). HIV diagnosis at baseline was significantly associated with being a transgender woman or a non‐openly disclosing man who has sex with men, age 26 to 39 years, and reporting no testing history. Conclusions High HIV incidence and new diagnoses being associated with reporting no testing history points to undiagnosed HIV driving transmissions in Myanmar. Repeat testing was uncommon. HIV programs in Myanmar must focus on promoting frequent HIV testing alongside adequate coverage of education and primary prevention interventions among MSM and TW.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Veronese
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Michael Traeger
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Zaw M Oo
- Burnet Institute Myanmar, Yangon, Myanmar
| | | | - Nwe N Oo
- Myanmar Business Coalition on AIDS, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Htay Maung
- Myanmar Business Coalition on AIDS, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Chad Hughes
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mark Stoové
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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45
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Ramsay J, Marsh J, Pedrana A, Andric N, Norman R, Cheng W, Webb S, Zeps N, Bellgard M, Graves T, Hellard M, Snelling T. A platform in the use of medicines to treat chronic hepatitis C (PLATINUM C): protocol for a prospective treatment registry of real-world outcomes for hepatitis C. BMC Infect Dis 2020; 20:802. [PMID: 33121439 PMCID: PMC7596998 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-020-05531-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Safe, highly curative, short course, direct acting antiviral (DAA) therapies are now available to treat chronic hepatitis C. DAA therapy is freely available to all adults chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Australia. If left untreated, hepatitis C may lead to progressive hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Australia is committed to eliminating hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030 set by the World Health Organization. However, since the introduction of funded DAA treatment, uptake has been suboptimal. Australia needs improved strategies for testing, treatment uptake and treatment completion to address the persisting hepatitis C public health problem. PLATINUM C is a HCV treatment registry and research platform for assessing the comparative effectiveness of alternative interventions for achieving virological cure. Methods PLATINUM C will prospectively enrol people with active HCV infection confirmed by recent detection of HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) in blood. Those enrolled will agree to allow standardised collection of demographic, lifestyle, treatment, virological outcome and other relevant clinical data to better inform the future management of HCV infection. The primary outcome is virological cure evidenced by sustained virological response (SVR), which is defined as a negative HCV PCR result 6 to 18 months after initial prescription of DAA therapy and no less than 12 weeks after the completion of treatment. Study participants will be invited to opt-in to medication adherence monitoring and quality of life assessments using validated self-reported instruments (EQ-5D-5L). Discussion PLATINUM C is a treatment registry and platform for nesting pragmatic trials. Data collected will inform the design, development and implementation of pragmatic trials. The digital infrastructure, study procedures and governing systems established by the registry will allow PLATINUM C to support a wider research platform in the management of hepatitis C in primary care. Trial registration The trial is registered with the Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Register (ACTRN12619000023156). Date of registration: 10/01/2019. Supplementary Information Supplementary information accompanies this paper at 10.1186/s12879-020-05531-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Ramsay
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Julie Marsh
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nada Andric
- Homeless Healthcare, West Leederville, Perth, Australia
| | - Richard Norman
- School of Public Health, Curtin University, Bentley, Australia
| | - Wendy Cheng
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia.,UWA Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.,School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia
| | - Steve Webb
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,St John of God Hospital, Subiaco, Perth, Australia
| | - Nikolajs Zeps
- Epworth HealthCare, Eastern Clinical School of Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Matthew Bellgard
- eResearch Office, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | | | - Margaret Hellard
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia.,School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Tom Snelling
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia. .,School of Public Health, Curtin University, Bentley, Australia. .,Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia. .,Department of Infectious Diseases, Perth Children's Hospital, Perth, Australia. .,School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia.
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46
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Pedrana A, Howell J, Scott N, Schroeder S, Kuschel C, Lazarus JV, Atun R, Baptista-Leite R, 't Hoen E, Hutchinson SJ, Aufegger L, Peck R, Sohn AH, Swan T, Thursz M, Lesi O, Sharma M, Thwaites J, Wilson DP, Hellard M. Global hepatitis C elimination: an investment framework. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 5:927-939. [PMID: 32730786 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-1253(20)30010-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
WHO has set global targets for the elimination of hepatitis B and hepatitis C as a public health threat by 2030. However, investment in elimination programmes remains low. To help drive political commitment and catalyse domestic and international financing, we have developed a global investment framework for the elimination of hepatitis B and hepatitis C. The global investment framework presented in this Health Policy paper outlines national and international activities that will enable reductions in hepatitis C incidence and mortality, and identifies potential sources of funding and tools to help countries build the economic case for investing in national elimination activities. The goal of this framework is to provide a way for countries, particularly those with minimal resources, to gain the substantial economic benefit and cost savings that come from investing in hepatitis C elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Jessica Howell
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Nick Scott
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Sophia Schroeder
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Christian Kuschel
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jeffrey V Lazarus
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rifat Atun
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ricardo Baptista-Leite
- Institute of Health Sciences, Universidade Catolica Portuguesa, Lisbon, Portugal; Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Ellen 't Hoen
- Global Health Unit, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands; Medicines Law & Policy, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sharon J Hutchinson
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK; Health Protection Scotland, Glasgow, UK
| | - Lisa Aufegger
- Centre for Health Policy, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Raquel Peck
- World Hepatitis Alliance, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Annette H Sohn
- TREAT Asia/amfAR-Foundation for AIDS Research Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Tracy Swan
- Independent consultant, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mark Thursz
- Department of Hepatology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Manik Sharma
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - John Thwaites
- Monash Sustainable Development Institute and ClimateWorks Australia, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - David P Wilson
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Doherty Institute and Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Veronese V, Ryan KE, Hughes C, Lim MS, Pedrana A, Stoové M. Using Digital Communication Technology to Increase HIV Testing Among Men Who Have Sex With Men and Transgender Women: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Med Internet Res 2020; 22:e14230. [PMID: 32720902 PMCID: PMC7420634 DOI: 10.2196/14230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV continues to disproportionately affect men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TW). Undiagnosed HIV is a major driver of HIV transmission rates, and increasing the uptake of regular HIV testing and facilitating timely initiation of HIV treatment is a global HIV prevention priority. However, MSM and TW experience a range of barriers that limit their access to testing and other prevention services. Given their growing ubiquity, digital communication technologies are increasingly being used to support HIV prevention efforts, and a growing number of studies have trialed the use of digital technology to promote HIV testing among MSM and TW. OBJECTIVE We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the impact of digital communication technology on HIV testing uptake among MSM and TW. Subanalyses aimed to identify the features and characteristics of digital interventions associated with greater impact. METHODS A systematic literature review was undertaken using select databases and conference repositories. Studies describing the use of a digital technology-internet-enabled devices, including phones, tablets, and computers-to increase HIV testing uptake among MSM or TW using either randomized or observational cohort design with measurement of HIV testing rates measured pre- and postintervention, and published in English between 2010 and 2018 were included. Pooled effect estimates were calculated using a random effects meta-analysis. Subanalyses calculated effect estimates grouped by selected features of digital interventions. RESULTS A total of 13 randomized or observational studies were included in the final review. Digital interventions most commonly used mainstream, existing social media platforms (n=7) or promotion through online peer educators (n=5). Most interventions (n=8) were categorized as interactive and allowed user engagement and most directly facilitated testing (n=7) either by providing self-testing kits or referral to testing services. A total of 1930 participants were included across the 13 studies. HIV testing uptake among MSM and TW exposed to digital interventions was 1.5 times higher than that of unexposed MSM and TW (risk ratio [RR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.3-1.7). Subanalyses suggested an increased impact on HIV testing uptake among interventions that were delivered through mainstream social media-based platforms (RR 1.7; 95% CI 1.3-2.1), included direct facilitation of HIV testing (RR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4-1.9), were interactive (RR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4-1.8), and involved end users in the design process (RR 1.6; 95% CI 1.3-2.0). CONCLUSIONS These findings provide broad support for the integration of technology with existing approaches to promote and facilitate HIV testing among MSM and TW. Our findings identified key features that may be associated with greater impact on HIV testing uptake and can be used to inform future development efforts given the growing interest and application of digital technologies in HIV prevention. TRIAL REGISTRATION PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42017070055; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42017070055.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Veronese
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Chad Hughes
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Megan Sc Lim
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mark Stoové
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
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Draper BL, Pedrana A, Howell J, Yee WL, Htay H, Aung KS, Shilton S, Kyi KP, Naing W, Hellard M. Decentralized, Community-Based Hepatitis C Point-of-Care Testing and Direct-Acting Antiviral Treatment for People Who Inject Drugs and the General Population in Myanmar: Protocol for a Feasibility Study. JMIR Res Protoc 2020; 9:e16863. [PMID: 32673260 PMCID: PMC7388045 DOI: 10.2196/16863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The advent of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) and point-of-care (POC) testing platforms for hepatitis C allow for the decentralization of care to primary care settings. In many countries, access to DAAs is generally limited to tertiary hospitals, with limited published research documenting decentralized models of care in low-and middle-income settings. Objective This study aims to assess the feasibility, acceptability, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of decentralized community-based POC testing and DAA therapy for hepatitis C among people who inject drugs and the general population in Yangon, Myanmar. Methods Rapid diagnostic tests for anti-hepatitis C antibodies were carried out on-site and, if reactive, were followed by POC GeneXpert hepatitis C RNA polymerase chain reaction tests. External laboratory blood tests to exclude other major health issues were undertaken. Results were given to participants at their next appointment, with the participants commencing DAA therapy that day if a specialist review was not required. Standard clinical data were collected, and the participants completed behavioral questionnaires. The primary outcome measures are the proportion of participants receiving GeneXpert hepatitis C RNA test, the proportion of participants commencing DAA therapy, the proportion of participants completing DAA therapy, and the proportion of participants achieving sustained virological response 12 weeks after completing DAA therapy. Results Recruitment was completed on September 30, 2019. Monitoring visits and treatment outcome visits are scheduled to continue until June 2020. Conclusions This feasibility study in Myanmar contributes to the evidence gap for community-based hepatitis C care in low- and middle-income settings. Evidence from this study will inform the scale-up of hepatitis C treatment programs in Myanmar and globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridget Louise Draper
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jessica Howell
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Consultant Gastroenterologist, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Hla Htay
- Burnet Institute Myanmar, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Khin Sanda Aung
- Myanmar National Hepatitis Control Program, Naypyidaw, Myanmar
| | | | | | - Win Naing
- Yangon Specialty Hospital, Yangon, Myanmar.,University Of Medicine (1), Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.,Doherty Institute and School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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49
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Scott N, Sacks-Davis R, Wade AJ, Stoove M, Pedrana A, Doyle JS, Thompson AJ, Wilson DP, Hellard ME. Australia needs to increase testing to achieve hepatitis C elimination. Med J Aust 2020; 212:365-370. [PMID: 32167586 PMCID: PMC7317196 DOI: 10.5694/mja2.50544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Objectives To assess progress in Australia toward the 2030 WHO hepatitis C elimination targets two years after the introduction of highly effective direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) treatments. Design Analysis of quarterly data on government‐subsidised hepatitis C RNA testing and hepatitis C treatment in Australia, January 2013 – June 2018. Changes in testing and treatment levels associated with DAA availability were assessed in an autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) statistical model, and the impact by 2030 of different levels of testing and treatment were estimated using a mathematical model. Major outcome measures Hepatitis C prevalence among people who inject drugs; annual hepatitis C incidence relative to 2015 levels; projections for the hepatitis C care cascade in 2030. Results The mean annual number of treatments initiated for people with hepatitis C increased from 6747 during 2013–2015 (before the introduction of DAAs) to 28 022 during 2016–18; the mean annual number of diagnostic RNA tests increased from 17 385 to 23 819. If current trends in testing and treatment continue (ie, 2018 testing numbers are maintained but treatment numbers decline by 50%), it is projected that by 2030 only 72% of infected people would be treated (by 2025 all people diagnosed with hepatitis C would be treated). The incidence of hepatitis C in 2030 would be 59% lower than in 2015, well short of the WHO target of an 80% reduction. The identification and testing of people exposed to hepatitis C must be increased by at least 50% for Australia to reach the WHO elimination targets. Conclusion Hepatitis C elimination programs in Australia should focus on increasing testing rates and linkage with care to maintain adequate levels of treatment.
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Gooey M, Wong E, Pedrana A, Allard N, Doyle J, Hellard M, Wade A. A survey of Australian general practitioners' hepatitis C knowledge and management 2 years after subsidised direct-acting antiviral therapy became available. Sex Health 2020; 17:387-389. [PMID: 32693908 DOI: 10.1071/sh19189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
In 2016, hepatitis C direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) became available in Australia. A group of general practitioners (GPs) were surveyed twice to assess hepatitis C knowledge and management; 191/1000 (19.1%) responded at baseline, 164/938 (17.5%) at follow up. Participants' mean Knowledge score increased: baseline 5.75 (95% CI 5.61-5.91), follow up 6.09 (95% CI 5.95-6.22; P <0.01). At follow up, 36/163 (22%) had prescribed DAAs compared with 23/187 (12%) at baseline (χ2(1) = 5.95, P = 0.02); however, 67/150 (45%) were unsure of treatment eligibility for people who inject drugs. Additional support for GPs is warranted to ensure optimal hepatitis C management in primary care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Gooey
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Vic. 3004, Australia
| | - Evelyn Wong
- Faculty of Health, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Vic. 3125, Australia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Vic. 3004, Australia; and School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553 St Kilda Road,Melbourne, Vic. 3004, Australia
| | - Nicole Allard
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Royal Melbourne Hospital, 300 Grattan Street,Parkville, Vic. 3050, Australia; and WHO Collaborating Centre for Viral Hepatitis, Doherty Institute, 792 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, Vic. 3000, Australia
| | - Joseph Doyle
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Vic. 3004, Australia; and Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Level 2, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Vic. 3004, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Vic. 3004, Australia; and School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553 St Kilda Road,Melbourne, Vic. 3004, Australia; and Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Level 2, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Vic. 3004, Australia; and Doherty Institute, 792 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, Vic. 3000, Australia; and Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Level 4, 207 Bouverie Street, The University of Melbourne, Vic. 3010, Australia
| | - Amanda Wade
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Vic. 3004, Australia; and Department of Infectious Diseases, Barwon Health, Bellerine Street, Geelong, Vic. 3220, Australia; and Corresponding author.
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