Syringe Access, Syringe Sharing, and Perceptions of HCV: A Qualitative Study Exploring the HCV Risk Environment in...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Social Science

Background:

• The hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic disproportionately impacts rural populations, particularly people who inject drugs (PWID).
• Understanding the specific risk environment for HCV among rural PWID is essential for effective public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the HCV risk environment among PWID in rural northern New England.
• To examine PWID experiences and perceptions regarding HCV and injection equipment-sharing practices.

Main Methods:

• The study employed a thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews.
• Data were collected from 21 adults with a history of injection drug use in rural New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts (April 2018 - August 2019).

Main Results:

• Limited access to sterile syringes and syringe scarcity were identified as key issues.
• Syringe scarcity contributed to informal sourcing and syringe sharing, influenced by perceptions of HCV risk, HCV status, and trust.
• Misconceptions about HCV transmission, diagnosis, and treatment were prevalent.

Conclusions:

• Interventions must expand access to sterile syringes for rural PWID.
• Increasing awareness of HCV as a serious, preventable risk is necessary.
• Social connections play a role in syringe access and sharing decisions and must be considered in prevention strategies.