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[Community-based screening: a motivating experience for drug users]
Objectives:
Hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) is a major public health problem among drug users. Screening for hepatitis C virus in this population is complicated. The aim of the study was to describe a community-based screening experience conducted by the Tours university hospital addiction medicine team.
Methods:
Between 2008 and 2010, a free 14-day HCV, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HIV community-based screening programme was conducted by the addiction medicine and prevention team. A questionnaire collected the main risk factors for transmission of these viruses and the subject's viral serology status.
Results:
76% of the 219 screened subjects reported being drug users. HCV prevalence was 20%. Risk factors for HCV infection were exclusive intravenous use and the use of several routes of administration. Among the 30 HCV patients with positive RNA, 83% were followed up.
Conclusions:
The prevalence of HCV infection was similar to that reported in the literature for drug users, whereas the number of patients treated and followed up was higher than in the literature. A community-based screening experience facilitated initiation and follow-up of medical care.