PROACTIVE: HePatitis C Reinfection: Optimising surveillAnCe for detection and preVEntion

Funding

National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) , Programme Development Grant (PDG) Ref. NIHR207646

What is the Research Question?

What are the barriers to follow up testing for Hepatitis C,  and how can those who inject drugs reduce their risk of re-infection?

What is the problem?

Hepatitis C virus affects the liver and without treatment, long-term Hepatitis C infection can cause liver damage, cancer and early death. However, treatments can cure Hepatitis C infection quickly and effectively. Because of this, the World Health Organisation has set a target to combat Hepatitis C by 2030.

People who inject drugs are the main group of people in the UK who experience Hepatitis C infection, and re-infection.

In previous research conducted in 2017, Hepatitis C testing and treatment for people who inject drugs was scaled up quickly and our research showed that this was highly effective at reducing Hepatitis C infections.

However, to keep Hepatitis C infections low, we need to prevent future re-infections and quickly detect and treat reinfection. Guidance recommends that people who have been treated for Hepatitis C are tested once a year to check for re-infection. However, our research suggests that this follow-up rarely happens.

What is the aim of the research?

There are three aims of this study:

  1. To find out what helps and what gets in the way of follow-up tests happening.
  2. To find out what information is collected when people have their test that could help us understand the things that could reduce their risk of re-infection in the future.
  3. Co-produce guidance for future practice.

How will this be achieved?

The aims of this research will be achieved in three stages:

  1. Scoping review of evidence to date
  2. Qualitative interviews with people who inject drugs and staff who do the annual tests
  3. The findings from part 1 and 2 will feed into four co-production sessions. Two with Hepatitis C experts, staff providing Hepatitis C testing and policy makers, and two with people with lived experience. We will discuss:
  • how barriers identified can be overcome,
  • how the offer of the annual test can be made better
  • and the information that is needed to support national tracking of Hepatitis C re-infection rates

Who is leading the Research?

Dr Hannah Family, University of Bristol

Further Information:

CI Email: hannah.family@bristol.ac.uk or Hannah.family@nhs.net

For more information or to get involved in this project, please contact bnssg.research@nhs.net.

The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.