Open AccessIntegrated Hepatitis C Testing and Linkage to Care at a Local Health Department Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic: Determining Essential Resources and Evaluating Outcomes
Author(s) -
Sarah Rhea,
Arlene C. Seña,
Alison Hilton,
Christopher B. Hurt,
David A. Wohl,
Aaron Fleischauer
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
sexually transmitted diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.507
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1537-4521
pISSN - 0148-5717
DOI - 10.1097/olq.0000000000000748
Subject(s) - medicine , referral , hepatitis c virus , sexually transmitted disease , hepatitis c , linkage (software) , family medicine , liver disease , health care , immunology , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , virus , syphilis , biochemistry , chemistry , economics , gene , economic growth
Guidance about integration of comprehensive hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related services in sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics is limited. We evaluated a federally funded HCV testing and linkage-to-care program at an STD clinic in Durham County, North Carolina. During December 10, 2012, to March 31, 2015, the program tested 733 patients for HCV who reported 1 or more HCV risk factor; 81 (11%) were HCV-infected (ie, HCV antibody-positive and HCV ribonucleic acid-positive). Fifty-one infected patients (63%) were linked to care. We concluded that essential program resources include reflex HCV ribonucleic acid testing; a dedicated bridge counselor to provide test results, health education, and linkage-to-care assistance; and referral relationships for local HCV management and treatment.