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. 2021 Oct 28:8:20499361211053929.
doi: 10.1177/20499361211053929. eCollection 2021 Jan-Dec.

Hepatitis C outreach project and cross-sectional epidemiology in high-risk populations in Trondheim, Norway

Raisa Hannula  1 , Jonas Söderholm  2 , Therese Svendsen  3 , Maja Skaland  3 , Svein A Nordbø  4 , Harald Steinum  3 , Jan K Damås  3
Affiliations

Hepatitis C outreach project and cross-sectional epidemiology in high-risk populations in Trondheim, Norway

Raisa Hannula et al. Ther Adv Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C is highly prevalent among people who use drugs (PWUD), and the hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic is less characterised in Norway. The aims of the study were to assess the prevalence and treatment willingness in high-risk populations by reaching out to frequently visited sites for high-risk populations.

Methods: Individuals from high-risk populations were included from September 2015 to March 2017. Two dedicated study nurses frequently visited the local opioid substitution clinic, outpatient clinics, PWUD day centres, local prison, and refugee centre in Trondheim, Norway. Demographic data, risk behaviour, and clinical symptoms were obtained by study questionnaire. Subjects with anti-HCV+ rapid test were subsequently tested for HCV RNA and genotyped. Viraemic patients were offered referral for HCV treatment evaluation.

Results: A total of 381 participants were included in the study: 52 immigrants, 62 prisoners, and 267 PWUD. The anti-HCV prevalence rates were 0% (n = 0) in immigrants, 40% (n = 25) in prisoners, and 61% (n = 164) in PWUD, with 24% (n = 15) of prisoners and 42% (n = 108) of PWUD being viraemic. Of those qualifying for treatment (n = 31), 30 wished to be evaluated.

Conclusion: This study showed high HCV prevalence in prisoners and PWUD and that infected high-risk patients were interested in treatment evaluation.

Keywords: community; epidemiology; hepatitis C virus; high-risk populations; immigrants; outreach; people who use drugs; prevalence; prisoners.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest statement: The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Study design: (a) study procedure and (b) flow chart for the study. Grey boxes are the analysed cohort. ALT, alanine aminotransferase; HBV, hepatitis B virus; HCV, hepatitis C virus; PWUD, people who use drugs.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
HCV prevalence anti-HCV and HCV RNA prevalence in immigrants, prisoners, and PWUD. Solid line prevalence per analysis and dashed line prevalence in previous analysis. Grey bars are analysed cohorts. Black bar indicates ab-HCV+ individuals with failed HCV RNA-test. HCV, hepatitis C virus.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Patient assessments genotypes in prisoners (n = 15) and PWUD (n = 108). Fibrosis assessed by liver elastography in prisoners (n = 15) and PWUD (n = 89). Prisoners (n = 15) and PWUD (n = 108) positive to treatment evaluation. LTFU, lost to follow-up; PWUD, people who use drugs.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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