A Community-based, Behavioral Intervention to Improve Screening for Hepatitis C Among High-risk Young Adults in Wisconsin
- Conditions
- Hepatitis C
- Interventions
- Behavioral: Usual CareBehavioral: Hep-Net Intervention
- Registration Number
- NCT02474043
- Lead Sponsor
- University of Wisconsin, Madison
- Brief Summary
The goal of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a brief, computerized behavioral intervention for promoting screening for hepatitis C and reducing risky behavior for people who inject drugs (PWID).
- Detailed Description
People who inject drugs (PWID) are at high risk for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection if they share contaminated injection equipment with others. Many are infected but are unaware of it, making it likely they will transmit the virus to others if they share contaminated injecting equipment. Problems related to hepatitis C can be avoided if people know their status by getting tested and referred to treatment.
In this study, the investigators will recruit eligible PWID in several cities in Wisconsin using a social networks strategy, in which clients who receive services at a syringe exchange program are asked to refer peers who also inject drugs to participate in the study. All participants will undergo a baseline computerized risk assessment that elicits information about hepatitis C status, previous testing, transmission risk behaviors, and overdose risk. Participants will then be randomly-assigned to receive either standard risk reduction counseling from a prevention specialist, or computerized tailored risk reduction messages that are specific to their reported risk behaviors, attitudes and beliefs. A follow-up assessment will be completed after 3 months to evaluate changes in behavioral risk and intention to undergo HCV screening. A database will be searched to determine which participants returned for HCV screening within 12 months of enrollment, and of those, which ones tested positive for HCV.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 235
- Age 18 or over
- English-speaking
- Reports injection of illicit drugs in the past month
- Unable to provide informed consent due to cognitive impairment
- Unwilling to provide personal locator information and consent to be contacted for follow-up after 3 months.
- Currently known to be pregnant
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Usual care Usual Care Standard health education and prevention counseling by trained staff Hep-Net Intervention Hep-Net Intervention Computerized tailored behavioral intervention Hep-Net Intervention Usual Care Computerized tailored behavioral intervention
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Screening for hepatitis C infection 12 months Participants will be followed for 12 months to determine whether they undergo repeated screening for hepatitis C
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method