Combined COVID-19 vaccination and hepatitis C virus screening intervention in marginalised populations in Spain

Article Gastroenterology & Hepatology

Leveraging corona virus disease 2019 vaccination to promote hepatitis C screening

Aaron Vanderhoff et al.

Summary: Research shows that conducting HCV testing and linkage to care in COVID-19 vaccination clinics is feasible, and a shortened antibody test time can improve the acceptance of testing.

HEPATOLOGY COMMUNICATIONS (2023)

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Article Substance Abuse

COVID-19 vaccine acceptability among people in Australia who inject drugs: Implications for vaccine rollout

Paul M. Dietze et al.

Summary: A survey in Melbourne, Australia found that 58% of people who inject drugs would definitely or probably be vaccinated for COVID-19, while 22% indicated they would not and 20% were undecided. Safety concerns were the most frequently cited reason for those who were hesitant or undecided about getting vaccinated. Efforts to address these concerns will be crucial in increasing vaccine uptake among this population.

DRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW (2022)

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Editorial Material Gastroenterology & Hepatology

Opportunistic co-screening for HCV and COVID-19-related services: A creative response with a need for thoughtful reflection

Loreta A. Kondili et al.

LIVER INTERNATIONAL (2022)

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Letter Gastroenterology & Hepatology

Hepatitis C screening during SARS-CoV-2 testing or vaccination. Experience in an area of southern Italy in the province of Salerno

Pietro Torre et al.

LIVER INTERNATIONAL (2022)

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Article Gastroenterology & Hepatology

Implementation of HCV screening in the 1969-1989 birth-cohort undergoing COVID-19 vaccination

Roberta D'Ambrosio et al.

Summary: This study found that a POC-based anti-HCV screening program is feasible in young adults undergoing COVID-19 vaccination. The prevalence of HCV infection in the 1969-1989 cohort in Italy seems to be lower than previously estimated. Further discussion is needed on whether extending this screening program to individuals born before 1969 could improve screening effectiveness.

LIVER INTERNATIONAL (2022)

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Article Substance Abuse

Uptake of COVID-19 vaccination among people who inject drugs

Jenny Iversen et al.

Summary: This study examined COVID-19 vaccine uptake among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Australia and found that the vaccination rate among PWID was significantly lower than the general population. Factors associated with sub-optimal uptake included longer duration of vaccine eligibility, prior SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic testing, injection of opioids, and current opioid agonist therapy. Women and those who reported daily or more frequent injection were also less likely to be vaccinated.

HARM REDUCTION JOURNAL (2022)

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Article Gastroenterology & Hepatology

SVR4 and SVR12 monitoring by using dried blood spot test: is it the best alternative for people who use drugs?

Andrea Herranz et al.

JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY (2022)

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Article Health Care Sciences & Services

How Vaccine Ambivalence Can Lead People Who Inject Drugs to Decline COVID-19 Vaccination and Ways This Can Be Addressed: Qualitative Study

Ian David Aronson et al.

Summary: This study aims to explore why people who inject drugs decline vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 and how barriers to vaccination can be addressed. Participants expressed concerns about the potential side effects of the vaccines, especially due to their weakened health from long-term substance use. Widespread medical mistrust and skepticism about the value of vaccination also contributed to ambivalence. However, the desire to protect family members emerged as a potential facilitator of vaccination.

JMIR FORMATIVE RESEARCH (2022)

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Article Gastroenterology & Hepatology

Reducing Read Time of Point-of-Care Test Does Not Affect Detection of Hepatitis C Virus and Reduces Need for Reflex RNA

David Smookler et al.

Summary: The OraQuick HCV Rapid antibody POC blood test can reliably identify patients with HCV infection by reducing the waiting time from 20 minutes to 5 minutes. This could increase high-throughput screening efficiency, reduce loss to follow up, and decrease the need for reflex HCV RNA testing.

CLINICAL GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY (2021)

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Article Substance Abuse

HCV screening based on dried blood samples and linkage to care in people who use drugs: A prospective study

Pablo Ryan et al.

Summary: The prevalence of HCV infection among PWUDs in Madrid, Spain is considerable, with a high percentage testing positive for HCV antibodies and RNA. However, linkage to care, especially initiation of HCV therapy, was limited in this population.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY (2021)

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Editorial Material Medicine, General & Internal

Business Not as Usual - Covid-19 Vaccination in Persons with Substance Use Disorders

Joshua A. Barocas

Summary: Individuals with substance use disorders, especially those living in conditions that increase the risk of Covid, should be given priority for SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations. Vaccine rollout plans need to address specific barriers to vaccine uptake in this population.

NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE (2021)

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Editorial Material Multidisciplinary Sciences

Africa: tackle HIV and COVID-19 together

Nokukhanya Msomi et al.

NATURE (2021)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Prevalence and correlates of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity among people who inject drugs in the San Diego-Tijuana border region

Steffanie A. Strathdee et al.

Summary: A study on people who inject drugs in San Diego and Tijuana found that over one-third were SARS-CoV-2 positive, with no evidence linking substance use behaviors to higher risk. However, factors in the risk environment such as sex work and incarceration were independently associated with a higher SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence. Suggestions for a binational policy response and decriminalizing sex work and drug use were made to mitigate COVID-19 burden among this population.

PLOS ONE (2021)

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Letter Gastroenterology & Hepatology