292423
Linking hepatitis c testing to community based HIV testing sites - report on a pilot program
Monday, November 4, 2013
: 9:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Brian Witt, MPH,
HIV Outreach Services, Mecklenburg County Health Department, Charlotte, NC
Community-based HIV testing is an important prevention strategy. Offering services in familiar locations is especially valuable in the South, where HIV-related stigma remains a major challenge. As community awareness grew of the challenges of Hepatitis C (HCV) infection, consumer requests increased for HCV testing linked to screenings for HIV and syphilis. Utilizing CDC funded Program Collaboration and Service Integration (PCSI) resources; a pilot program of HCV testing was implemented in high risk populations; initial testing has resulted in a 16.7% positivity rate. This session will present the process that estimated cost/benefit ratios, engaged community partners, trained staff, developed risk-reduction plans for both negative and positive clients and addressed issues of limited access to care. Lessons learned can serve as a starting point for communities responding to client demand and CDC recommendations for broader HCV testing
Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Learning Objectives:
Identify obstacles and successful strategies for incorporating Hepatitis C testing into HIV outreach and testing.
Describe impact of limited treatment options on program design and implementation.
Keyword(s): Hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Ten plus years of experience working in HIV/STD prevention and treatment in both local health department and community based organizations.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
