A support programme for primary care leads to substantial improvements in the effectiveness of a public hepatitis C campaign.
BACKGROUND
Because of its lack of clinical signs, the detection of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the Netherlands remains suboptimal. Therefore, the Dutch Health Council proposed an HCV campaign aimed to inform the general public and motivate people at risk to seek medical advice. Because knowledge and awareness of HCV infection is low among primary care workers, the implementation of a support programme for primary care complementary to a HCV campaign seems appropriate.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the added value of a support programme for primary care complementary to a public HCV campaign.


METHODS
We performed a non-randomized controlled intervention study. In two similar regions, a public HCV campaign was organized. In the intervention region, an additional support for primary care was provided by means of brochures, short courses and informative visits.


RESULTS
In the intervention region, the proportional increase in anti-HCV tests was 3.02 (57-172 tests). In the control region, this increase was 1.36 (86-118 tests). In the intervention region, the increase in positive anti-HCV tests was 1.7% (95% confidence interval (CI): -0.2% to -3.7%). In the control region, this number decreased by 0.9% (95% CI: -4.1% to 2.3%).


CONCLUSIONS
The addition of primary care practice support leads to considerable improvements in medical consciousness regarding HCV infection in primary care. Even though the positive effect on case finding cannot be indisputably demonstrated due to low prevalence, our results indicate such a positive effect. Therefore, future campaigns aimed at hepatitis C should invariably implement additional support for primary care to improve diagnostic uptake and optimize case finding.
Helsper
Charles W
CW
Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands. c.helsper@gmail.com
van Essen
Gerrit A
GA
Bonten
Marc J M
MJ
de Wit
Niek J
NJ
D005194:Family Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009426:Netherlands; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011320:Primary Health Care; D015397:Program Evaluation