Acceptability of hepatitis C virus testing methods among injecting drug users

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Disease Surveillance
• Virology

Background:

• Blood-borne virus screening is crucial for surveillance in injecting drug users (IDUs).
• The acceptability of testing methods influences participation and uptake in screening programs.
• Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a significant concern within the IDU population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the acceptability of three HCV testing methods: oral fluid, capillary blood, and venous blood sampling.
• To determine the preferred method of HCV testing among injecting drug users (IDUs).
• To inform the implementation of HCV screening strategies for IDUs.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 229 injecting drug users (IDUs) in Sydney.
• Participants underwent HCV antibody testing using oral fluid, capillary blood, and venous blood collection methods.
• Acceptability and preference for each method were assessed before and after specimen collection.

Main Results:

• All three HCV testing methods demonstrated high acceptability (>85%) among IDUs.
• Oral fluid testing was the most preferred method post-collection.
• Females were significantly more likely than males to prefer oral fluid testing.

Conclusions:

• Oral fluid testing presents a viable and preferred alternative for HCV screening in IDUs.
• Addressing concerns and providing education on oral fluid testing is essential for successful surveillance implementation.
• The findings support the integration of oral fluid testing into HCV surveillance programs for IDUs.