Theme: Models of Care Year: 2019
Background: The World Health Organisation global health sector strategy on viral hepatitis has set
the goal of decreasing hepatitis C virus (HCV) incidence by 90% by 2030. Furthermore, recent
advancements in antiviral treatments have elicited discussions towards meeting both local and
global micro elimination goals. People who inject drugs (PWIDs) represent a significant proportion of
the global HCV epidemic. While this demographic poses many challenges in public health settings,
behavioural interventions can provide cost effective and scalable techniques to facilitate changing
target behaviours within this population. The aim of this project is to test a range of behaviour
change interventions to increase PWID HCV screening rates in community settings within the United
Kingdom.
Description of model of care/intervention: This research project includes three independent
interventions:
i) An enhanced training module which will target health care professionals’ (HCPs)
motivation and capabilities to offer HCV screening. Specific behaviour change
techniques include goal-setting, implementation intentions and visualisation exercises.
ii) A written prompt for HCPs to offer screening to at-risk PWIDs during routine data
collection.
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iii) Communications materials included in needle syringe packs distributed via exchanges
and pharmacies.
Effectiveness: The research will be run in partnership with UK drug treatment service Change Grow
Live (CGL).
The effectiveness of each intervention will be measured by three independent trials run in CGL
centres across the UK. Effectiveness will be measured by comparing screening rates in a controlled
experimental research design. Data will be analysed using the difference in differences statistical
technique.
Conclusion and next steps: The experiment aims to generate evidence to share with policymakers
about new cost effective and scalable ways to increase HCV sreening among PWIDs in the
community setting.
Disclosure of Interest Statement: See example below: The conference collaborators recognise the
considerable contribution that industry partners make to professional and research activities. We
also recognise the need for transparency of disclosure of potential conflicts of interest by
acknowledging these relationships in publications and presentations.