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Senior Center-Based Hepatitis C Screening in Baltimore.
Oluwaseun Falade-Nwulia1, Risha Irvin2, Ayesha McAdams-Mahmoud2
1Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore; Baltimore City Health Department, Maryland.
Open Forum Infectious Diseases
|February 18, 2016
Summary
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing in senior centers found a 9.4% infection rate. Community-based testing is a feasible strategy to identify and link infected individuals to care.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Hepatology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a significant public health concern, with many cases undiagnosed.
- Effective treatments exist, but diagnosis is a critical barrier to care and disease control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility and yield of HCV testing in senior citizen centers.
- To assess the prevalence of HCV infection within this demographic and setting.
Main Methods:
- Community-based screening for HCV infection was conducted.
- Testing was implemented in senior citizen centers in Baltimore.
- Prevalence of infection was determined based on testing results.
Main Results:
- A high prevalence of 9.4% for HCV infection was identified among tested individuals.
- The senior citizen center setting proved to be a feasible location for HCV screening.
Conclusions:
- Community-based HCV testing programs, particularly in senior centers, are effective in identifying infections.
- Linkage to care strategies integrated with community testing are crucial for managing HCV prevalence.
