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Perceived benefits of the hepatitis C peer educators: a qualitative investigation

BACKGROUND: Although opioid-dependent patients are disproportionately impacted by hepatitis C (HCV), many do not receive treatment. In addition to HCV treatment-access barriers, substance-using patients may be reluctant to pursue treatment because of wariness of the medical system, lack of knowledge...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Batchelder, A. W., Cockerham-Colas, L., Peyser, D., Reynoso, S. P., Soloway, I., Litwin, A. H.
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: BioMed Central 2017
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5622540/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28962652
http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12954-017-0192-8
Descripción
Sumario:BACKGROUND: Although opioid-dependent patients are disproportionately impacted by hepatitis C (HCV), many do not receive treatment. In addition to HCV treatment-access barriers, substance-using patients may be reluctant to pursue treatment because of wariness of the medical system, lack of knowledge, or stigma related to HCV treatment. Implementation of a formal peer education program is one model of reducing provider- and patient-level barriers to HCV treatment, by enhancing mutual trust and reducing stigma. METHODS: We used thematic qualitative analysis to explore how 30 HCV patients and peer educators perceived a HCV peer program within an established methadone maintenance program in the USA. RESULTS: Participants unanimously described the program as beneficial. Participants described the peer educators’ normalization and dispelling of myths and fears around HCV treatment, and their exemplification of HCV treatment success, and reductions in perceived stigma. Peer educators described personal benefits. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that HCV peer educators can enhance HCV treatment initiation and engagement within opioid substitution programs.