Journal
JOURNAL OF HEALTH CARE FOR THE POOR AND UNDERSERVED
Volume 27, Issue 2, Pages 214-223Publisher
JOHNS HOPKINS UNIV PRESS
DOI: 10.1353/hpu.2016.0049
Keywords
HCV; community corrections; criminal justice; drug use
Funding
- National Institute on Drug Abuse [R01DA030747]
- Lifespan/Tufts/Brown Center for AIDS Research [P30AI042853]
- District of Columbia Center for AIDS Research [P30AI117970]
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Hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects between five and seven million individuals in the United States and chronic infection can lead to liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Probation/parole offices are a novel setting for rapid HCV testing, providing outreach to populations at increased risk for HCV infection and/or transmitting HCV to others. While some correctional facilities offer HCV testing, many individuals who present to probation/parole offices are never or briefly incarcerated and may not access medical services. We conducted a rapid HCV testing pilot at probation/parole offices in Rhode Island. Overall, 130 people accepted rapid HCV testing, of whom 12 had reactive tests. Only four of these individuals presented to a community-based clinic for confirmatory testing, despite being offered a monetary incentive. Identifying and addressing barriers to HCV confirmatory testing and follow-up care is critical to increasing the uptake of HCV care and treatment in this vulnerable population.
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