title: The acceptability and feasibility of peer worker support role in community based HCV treatment for injecting drug users.
abstract: Hepatitis C is the most common blood borne virus in Australia affecting over 200 000 people. Effective treatment for hepatitis C has only become accessible in Australia since the late 1990's, although active injecting drug use (IDU) remained an exclusion criteria for government-funded treatment until 2001. Treatment uptake has been slow, particularly among injecting drug users, the largest affected group. We developed a peer-based integrated model of hepatitis C care at a community drug and alcohol clinic. Clients interested and eligible for hepatitis C treatment had their substance use, mental health and other psychosocial comorbidities co-managed onsite at the clinic prior to and during treatment. In a qualitative preliminary evaluation of the project, nine current patients of the clinic were interviewed, as was the clinic peer worker. A high level of patient acceptability of the peer-based model and an endorsement the integrated model of care was found. This paper describes the acceptability of a peer-based integrated model of hepatitis C care by the clients using the service.
authors.affiliation: Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre, 54 Gertrude St, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia. jsntravel@gmail.com
authors.forename: Josephine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Norman
authors.forename: Nick M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: Janette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mugavin
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Stoové
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kelsall
authors.forename: Kirk
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Austin
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lintzeris