Values and preferences for hepatitis C self-testing among people who inject drugs in Kyrgyzstan
Abstract Background The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among people who inject drugs (PWID) continues to be a major public-health burden in this highly stigmatised population. To halt transmission of HCV, rapid HCV self-testing kits represent an innovative approach that could enable PWID to k...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-06-01
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| Series: | BMC Infectious Diseases |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-021-06332-z |
| _version_ | 1818743071728205824 |
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| author | Guillermo Z. Martínez-Pérez Danil S. Nikitin Alla Bessonova Emmanuel Fajardo Sergei Bessonov Sonjelle Shilton |
| author_facet | Guillermo Z. Martínez-Pérez Danil S. Nikitin Alla Bessonova Emmanuel Fajardo Sergei Bessonov Sonjelle Shilton |
| author_sort | Guillermo Z. Martínez-Pérez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among people who inject drugs (PWID) continues to be a major public-health burden in this highly stigmatised population. To halt transmission of HCV, rapid HCV self-testing kits represent an innovative approach that could enable PWID to know their HCV status and seek treatment. As no HCV test has yet been licenced for self-administration, it is crucial to obtain knowledge around the factors that may deter or foster delivery of HCV self-testing among PWID in resource-constrained countries. Methods A qualitative study to assess values and preferences relating to HCV self-testing was conducted in mid-2020 among PWID in the Bishkek and Chui regions of Kyrgyzstan. Forty-seven PWID participated in 15 individual interviews, two group interviews (n = 12) and one participatory action-research session (n = 20). Responses were analysed using a thematic analysis approach with 4 predefined themes: awareness of HCV and current HCV testing experiences, and acceptability and service delivery preferences for HCV self-testing. Informants’ insights were analysed using a thematic analysis approach. This research received local ethics approval. Results Awareness of HCV is low and currently PWID prefer community-based HCV testing due to stigma encountered in other healthcare settings. HCV self-testing would be accepted and appreciated by PWID. Acceptability may increase if HCV self-testing: was delivered in pharmacies or by harm reduction associations; was free of charge; was oral rather than blood-based; included instructions with images and clear information on the test’s accuracy; and was distributed alongside pre- and post-testing counselling with linkage to confirmatory testing support. Conclusions HCV self-testing could increase awareness of and more frequent testing for HCV infection among PWID in Kyrgyzstan. It is recommended that peer-driven associations are involved in the delivery of any HCV self-testing. Furthermore, efforts should be maximised to end discrimination against PWID at the healthcare institutions responsible for confirmatory HCV testing and treatment provision. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-18T02:22:35Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9da59366372a40118700a8d0d4e15022 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2334 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-18T02:22:35Z |
| publishDate | 2021-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Infectious Diseases |
| spelling | doaj.art-9da59366372a40118700a8d0d4e150222022-12-21T21:24:06ZengBMCBMC Infectious Diseases1471-23342021-06-0121111210.1186/s12879-021-06332-zValues and preferences for hepatitis C self-testing among people who inject drugs in KyrgyzstanGuillermo Z. Martínez-Pérez0Danil S. Nikitin1Alla Bessonova2Emmanuel Fajardo3Sergei Bessonov4Sonjelle Shilton5Department of Physiatrics and Nursing, University of ZaragozaGlobal Research Institute Foundation (GLORI)Kyrgyz Network of Harm Reduction (KNHR)Foundation for Innovative New DiagnosticsKyrgyz Network of Harm Reduction (KNHR)Foundation for Innovative New DiagnosticsAbstract Background The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among people who inject drugs (PWID) continues to be a major public-health burden in this highly stigmatised population. To halt transmission of HCV, rapid HCV self-testing kits represent an innovative approach that could enable PWID to know their HCV status and seek treatment. As no HCV test has yet been licenced for self-administration, it is crucial to obtain knowledge around the factors that may deter or foster delivery of HCV self-testing among PWID in resource-constrained countries. Methods A qualitative study to assess values and preferences relating to HCV self-testing was conducted in mid-2020 among PWID in the Bishkek and Chui regions of Kyrgyzstan. Forty-seven PWID participated in 15 individual interviews, two group interviews (n = 12) and one participatory action-research session (n = 20). Responses were analysed using a thematic analysis approach with 4 predefined themes: awareness of HCV and current HCV testing experiences, and acceptability and service delivery preferences for HCV self-testing. Informants’ insights were analysed using a thematic analysis approach. This research received local ethics approval. Results Awareness of HCV is low and currently PWID prefer community-based HCV testing due to stigma encountered in other healthcare settings. HCV self-testing would be accepted and appreciated by PWID. Acceptability may increase if HCV self-testing: was delivered in pharmacies or by harm reduction associations; was free of charge; was oral rather than blood-based; included instructions with images and clear information on the test’s accuracy; and was distributed alongside pre- and post-testing counselling with linkage to confirmatory testing support. Conclusions HCV self-testing could increase awareness of and more frequent testing for HCV infection among PWID in Kyrgyzstan. It is recommended that peer-driven associations are involved in the delivery of any HCV self-testing. Furthermore, efforts should be maximised to end discrimination against PWID at the healthcare institutions responsible for confirmatory HCV testing and treatment provision.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-021-06332-zHepatitis CHepatitis C self-testingDiagnosticsValues and preferencesFormative research |
| spellingShingle | Guillermo Z. Martínez-Pérez Danil S. Nikitin Alla Bessonova Emmanuel Fajardo Sergei Bessonov Sonjelle Shilton Values and preferences for hepatitis C self-testing among people who inject drugs in Kyrgyzstan BMC Infectious Diseases Hepatitis C Hepatitis C self-testing Diagnostics Values and preferences Formative research |
| title | Values and preferences for hepatitis C self-testing among people who inject drugs in Kyrgyzstan |
| title_full | Values and preferences for hepatitis C self-testing among people who inject drugs in Kyrgyzstan |
| title_fullStr | Values and preferences for hepatitis C self-testing among people who inject drugs in Kyrgyzstan |
| title_full_unstemmed | Values and preferences for hepatitis C self-testing among people who inject drugs in Kyrgyzstan |
| title_short | Values and preferences for hepatitis C self-testing among people who inject drugs in Kyrgyzstan |
| title_sort | values and preferences for hepatitis c self testing among people who inject drugs in kyrgyzstan |
| topic | Hepatitis C Hepatitis C self-testing Diagnostics Values and preferences Formative research |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-021-06332-z |
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