Background:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (hereafter Aboriginal) are at increased risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Every Yarn Counts (EYC) is the first Australia-wide HCV health promotion campaign codesigned, implemented, and evaluated with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs). EYC aimed to reduce HCV infection and associated stigma in Aboriginal communities.
Description of model of care:
The three-month campaign was implemented in nine ACCHOs Australia-wide, with a campaign strategy to reach and raise awareness, normalise HCV, and support ACCHOs to engage, test and treat Aboriginal people. Campaign audience included adult clients of ACCHOs, including people who inject drugs, have been incarcerated, those at risk of re-infection, and who use AOD programs. The campaign featured destigmatizing messaging in posters and merchandise, financial incentives for HCV testing and treatment, and education and clinical training for ACCHO staff. Implementing services were funded and could tailor campaign activities to community needs and service capacity.
Effectiveness:
Evaluation included analysing clinical data (n=6 sites), client surveys (n=118), and focus groups with implementing site staff (n=8 sites). During the campaign 749 people received HCV testing, 15/749 (2%) tested RNA positive, of whom 13 were referred into treatment. Of surveyed clients, 82% reported seeing campaign material and 85% said the campaign made them comfortable talking about HCV. Staff in focus groups identified campaign merchandise as an effective tool to engage clients in conversations about HCV, however financial incentives were the most effective tool for initiating testing.
Conclusion and next steps:
EYC successfully reached clients of ACCHOs with destigmatizing messages and encouraged clients to engage in conversations about HCV with ACCHO staff, leading to high HCV testing. Despite this, the RNA positivity indicates the campaign may not have reached those most at-risk and future campaigns should focus on alternative data collection methods and ways of reaching this group. |