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. 2022 Mar 28;17(1):23.
doi: 10.1186/s13011-022-00438-6.

Barriers of linkage to HCV viremia testing among people who inject drugs in Georgia

Maia Butsashvili  1   2 , Tinatin Abzianidze  3   4 , George Kamkamidze  3 , Lasha Gulbiani  3 , Lia Gvinjilia  5 , Tinatin Kuchuloria  5 , Irina Tskhomelidze  5 , Maka Gogia  6 , Maia Tsereteli  7 , Veronique Miollany  8 , Tamar Kikvidze  8 , Shaun Shadaker  9 , Muazzam Nasrullah  9 , Francisco Averhoff  9
Affiliations

Barriers of linkage to HCV viremia testing among people who inject drugs in Georgia

Maia Butsashvili et al. Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy. .

Abstract

Background: People who inject drugs (PWID) in Georgia have a high prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV). Access to care among PWID could be prioritized to meet the country's hepatitis C elimination goals. This study assesses barriers of linkage to HCV viremia testing among PWID in Georgia.

Methods: Study participants were enrolled from 13 harm reduction (HR) centers throughout Georgia. Anti-HCV positive PWID who were tested for viremia (complete diagnosis [CD]), were compared to those not tested for viremia within 90 days of screening anti-HCV positive (not complete diagnosis [NCD]). Convenience samples of CD and NCD individuals recorded at HR centers using beneficiaries' national ID were drawn from the National HCV Elimination Program database. Participants were interviewed about potential barriers to seeking care.

Results: A total of 500 PWID were enrolled, 245 CD and 255 NCD. CD and NCD were similar with respect to gender, age, employment status, education, knowledge of anti-HCV status, and confidence/trust in the elimination program (p > 0.05). More NCD (13.0%) than CD (7.4%) stated they were not sufficiently informed what to do after screening anti-HCV positive (p < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, HCV viremia testing was associated with perceived affordability of the elimination program (adjusted prevalence ratio = 8.53; 95% confidence interval: 4.14-17.62).

Conclusions: Post testing counselling and making hepatitis C services affordable could help increase HCV viremia testing among PWID in Georgia.

Keywords: Barriers; Diagnosis; Elimination; HCV; PWID.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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