Objectives: To assess among local health departments (LHDs) concern, services, and need for technical assistance and funding regarding hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV infections. Methods: A survey was mailed to 1,200 LHDs randomly selected from a national database. Questions included level of concern in the community; whether HCV and/or HIV services were provided; need for technical assistance and funding; and whether services should be integrated with HIV programs. Data was analyzed using Epi-Info6; simple and stratified methods with chi-square tests to compare responses by region were used. Results: 612 (51%) LHDs from 42 states responded. Concern regarding HCV was reported as “great/moderate” compared with “little/none” by 218 (37%) of 594 respondents. Compared with HIV services, the proportion of LHDs offering HCV services (education, testing) was consistently lower (68%, 23% vs. 87%, 74% respectively); need for technical assistance was consistently greater (65%, 50% vs. 32%, 16% respectively). 445 (75%) of 592 reported need for extensive or moderate funding to provide HCV services. 313 (55%) of 575 responded that HCV programs should be integrated with existing HIV programs. Conclusions: LHDs appear to be poorly prepared for providing HCV services and well prepared for providing HIV services. As national HCV education efforts expand, it is expected that more people will seek information and testing in the public sector. It makes sense to integrate HCV services into established HIV programs, especially where risk factors for infection overlap.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Hepatitis C, Local Public Health Agencies
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.