Abstract
We re-analyse data on new diagnoses of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) for injectors in prison or attending general practices which were relied on for the cost-effectiveness of HCV testing in injectors. We use these revised estimates to suggest readily achievable targets in Scottish general practices on HCV diagnoses for injectors born in 1956–1975. Using audit data from general practices around Edinburgh, we confirm that, with effort, the suggested targets are achievable. On re-analysis, we found that over 20% of HCV-undiagnosed injectors in English prisons accepted HCV testing, and half the injectors aged 30–54 years who attended a Glasgow general practice. On the basis of 30% HCV test uptake and 80% of ever-injectors having self-identified, a target of 2500 HCV diagnoses within a year in known ever-injectors born in 1956–1975 attending Scottish general practices is feasible. Its target of five new HCV diagnoses was achieved during an HCV testing intervention by Muirhouse Practice, Edinburgh. During a 2-year audit period, 86 other general practices around Edinburgh providing enhanced services for drug users increased HCV test uptake by known ever-injectors from 43% (314/727) to 62% (655/1062) in the 1956–1975 birth-cohort. Their new HCV diagnoses in ever-injectors were 171 over two years against a target of 166 within 1 year.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 421-432 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Addiction Research and Theory |
Volume | 18 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2010 |
Keywords
- injectors
- Hepatitis C virus
- HCV test-uptake
- birth cohort
- prison drug use