Nurse-led initiation of hepatitis C care in rural Cambodia

To determine whether a nurse-led model of care for patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections can provide safe and effective diagnosis and treatment in a resource-poor setting in rural Cambodia.

The nurse-led initiation pilot project was implemented by Médecins Sans Frontières in collaboration with the Cambodian health ministry in two operational districts in Battambang Province between 1 June and 30 September 2020. Nursing staff at 27 rural health centres were trained to identify signs of decompensated liver cirrhosis and to provide HCV treatment. Patients without decompensated cirrhosis or another comorbidity were initiated at health centres onto combined treatment with sofosbuvir, 400 mg/day, and daclatasvir, 60 mg/day, orally for 12 weeks. Treatment adherence and effectiveness were assessed during follow-up.

Of 10 960 individuals screened, 547 had HCV viraemia (i.e. viral load ≥ 1000 IU/mL). Of the 547, 329 were eligible for treatment initiation at health centres through the pilot project. All 329 (100%) completed treatment and 310 (94%; 95% confidence interval: 91-96) achieved a sustained virological response 12 weeks post-treatment. Depending on patient subgroups, this response varied from 89% to 100%. Only two adverse events were recorded; both were determined as unrelated to treatment.

The safety and effectiveness of direct-acting antiviral medication has previously been demonstrated. Models of HCV care now need to enable greater access for patients. The nurse-led initiation pilot project provides a model for use in other resource-poor settings to scale up national programmes.