A new study reveals important insights into the challenges that hepatitis C virus (HCV) microelimination efforts may face among people living with HIV (PWH). The prevalence of HIV and HCV coinfection is increasing due to the opioid epidemic. If left untreated, hepatitis C virus infection can lead to liver damage, cancer, and death. While HIV requires lifelong treatment, hepatitis C virus can be cured with a few months of oral medication.
To understand barriers to providing hepatitis C care, the authors conducted a mixed-methods analysis that included focus groups with 14 health care providers in 11 clinics. Practitioners interviewed in the study identified several barriers to microelimination, with housing instability, medication non-adherence issues, and the inability to motivate patients being the most significant.
Importantly, the researchers found that implicit bias existed in the majority of responses provided by providers. Therefore, the authors assert that overcoming treatment barriers may require addressing health care practitioner stigma toward patients.
“Given that there are deep-rooted prejudices against people who use drugs that are particularly difficult to change, we need to redesign the way we manage such patients to reduce the chance of stigma-inducing interactions, because we cannot reliably expect every clinician to said Dr. Frederick Altice, professor of medicine (infectious diseases) at Yale School of Medicine and professor of epidemiology (microbial diseases) at Yale School of Public Health.
To learn more, read the article: “Challenges of achieving HCV microelimination among people living with HIV in the United States: Provider perspectives and the role of implicit bias”
Didomizio E, Chandra DK, Nichols L, Villanueva M, Altis FL. Challenges in achieving hepatitis C virus micro-elimination among people living with HIV in the United States: Provider perspectives and the role of implicit bias. Health Promotion Practice. 2023;24(5):998-1008. Number: 10.1177/15248399231169928