Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 15, 2026
Comprehensive & Cost Effective Laboratory Monitoring of HIV/AIDS: an African Role Model
Published on: October 31, 2010
A support programme for primary care leads to substantial improvements in the effectiveness of a public hepatitis C
Charles W Helsper1, Gerrit A van Essen, Marc J M Bonten
1Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands. c.helsper@gmail.com
Introduction:
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.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Primary Healthcare Services
In 1978, international leaders convened in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, for what would be a pivotal event in global health. The Alma-Ata Declaration was the first to call...
01:25Hepatitis
01:28Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction
01:26Methods Of Healthcare Delivery System
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is limited...
01:30Preventive Healthcare Services
01:26Levels of Health Promotion and Illness Prevention
In primary prevention, actions taken before disease onset prevent the disease from...