Objectives: To screen, counsel and offer hepatitis A and B vaccination for subjects at high risk for hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV, and determine any relationship between risk factors and HCV positivity. Design and Sample Q1 : A descriptive correlational design. We correlated risk factors and HCV positivity and measured vaccination completion rates. Two hundred and two unduplicated subjects in 4 locations in Western Massachusetts: a walk in substance abuse clinic, a homeless shelter, a county jail, and a community corrections facility. Measures: Demographic data and a standard HCV risk- screening survey were used. Results: Significantly higher rates of HCV were found in subjects who were currently using injection drugs (83.3% HCV positive, x2(1)520.85, po.001), who had a history of sharing needles for drug use (75% HCV positive x2(1)583.20, po.001), or a history of receiving treatment for drug abuse/alcoholism (38.4% HCV positive x2(1)512.14, po.001). Vaccination completion ranged by setting between 18% and 38%. Conclusions: Targeted outreach to hard to reach groups is effective in providing access for those at high risk for HIV and HCV infection. A mobile outreach strategy can focus needed resources for a variety of groups in a community.
- hepatitis,
- HIV,
- mobile strategies,
- risk factors
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/donna_zucker/20/