HCV treatment adherence and some related factors in community-based integrated care for injecting drug users in Hai Phong, 10/2018 - 06/2020

Abstract

A non - controlled longitudinal study to assess adherence and some related factors for injecting drug users (IDUs) treated with HCV with direct-acting antiretroviral (DAA) by combining activities of community organizations (CBOs) into medical facilities in Hai Phong from October 2018 to June 2020. IDUs who have been screened for and confirmed HCV infection by HCV-RNA testing from a respondent-driven sampling (RDS) and anti-HCV-positive IDUs participating in an HIV cohort study were transferred to the hospital for HCV treatment with Sofosbuvir/ Daclatasvir ± Ribavirin. CBO staff are directly involved in planning adherence support in the healthcare facilities and supporting patients during treatment in the community. The good treatment adherence rate reached 90%. HIV infection, methadone treatment, and stable living places were independently associated with increased adherence to HCV treatment. Adherence to treatment for hepatitis C could be very high with the integration of communitybased care.