Overview

This three-year longitudinal qualitative study examines the experiences of people who inject drugs (PWID) with utilizing Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAA) HCV treatment. Through in-depth semi-structured interviews with PWID and key stakeholders (including care providers, policy makers, and community organization representatives) in Vancouver, this study aims to inform the development of DAA HCV treatment policies and service delivery practices (including clinical and provincial guidelines) by identifying implementation issues, to optimize treatment outcomes and prevent reinfection over the long term.

Objectives

  1. Document the perspectives and experiences of PWID and key stakeholders (care providers, policy makers, and community organization representatives) regarding DAA treatment initiation and uptake patterns (e.g., treatment readiness, treatment-related decision-making, understandings of DAA treatment efficacy, social and structural barriers/facilitators);
  2. Describe the perspectives and experiences of PWID and stakeholders with DAA treatment regimens (e.g., adherence, completion/discontinuation);
  3. Identify the health, social and behavioral trajectories of PWID post-treatment (e.g., patterns of drug and/or alcohol use; experiences with HCV prevention practices, including HCV testing, use of sterile syringes and sexual practices);
  4. Examine the feasibility of HCV ‘Treatment as Prevention’ among PWID (e.g., implementation challenges, system needs, PWID’s needs);
  5. Inform DAA policy and care guidelines to optimize PWID’s treatment outcomes and prevent reinfection over the long term.

Partners

  • BC Ministry of Health
  • BC Centre for Disease Control
  • Vancouver Coastal Health
  • YouthCO HIV and Hepatitis C Society

Funders

Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Interested in finding out more about the HCV Study?

Please contact Research Manager Cathy Chabot at [email protected].

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