Original research
by
Seaman, Andrew et al
Release Date
2024
Geography
USA
Language of Resource
English
Full Text Available
No
Open Access / OK to Reproduce
No
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Objective
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination requires treating people who use drugs (PWUD), yet <10% of PWUD in the United States access HCV treatment; access is especially limited in rural communities.
Findings/Key points
The Peer TeleHCV treatment model substantially increased HCV treatment initiation and viral clearance compared to EUC.
Design/methods
We randomized PWUD with HCV viremia and past 90-day injection drug or nonprescribed opioid use in 7 rural Oregon counties to peer-assisted telemedicine HCV treatment (TeleHCV) versus peer-assisted referral to local providers (enhanced usual care [EUC]). Generalized linear models estimated group differences in HCV viral clearance (primary outcome) and HCV treatment initiation and completion (secondary outcomes).
Keywords
Barriers and enablers
Evidence base
Injecting drugs
Harm reduction
Peer/PWLLE program involvement
Rural/remote
Wrap-around services
