Research

The acceptability and feasibility of peer worker support role in community based HCV treatment for injecting drug users

Josephine Norman¹ , Nick M Walsh^1,5 , Janette Mugavin¹ , Mark A Stoové^1,2 , Jenny Kelsall^1,3 , Kirk Austin¹ and Nick Lintzeris^1,4

¹Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre, 54 Gertrude St, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia

²Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health Research, Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, 85 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

³Victorian Drug User Organisation (VIVAIDS), 128 Peel St, North Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

⁴Drug Health Services, Sydney South West Area Health Service Page Building 5, Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW, Australia

⁵Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University Alfred Campus, 89 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia

author email corresponding author email

Harm Reduction Journal 2008, 5:8doi:10.1186/1477-7517-5-8

Published:	25 February 2008

Abstract

Hepatitis C is the most common blood borne virus in Australia affecting over 200 000 people. Effective treatment for hepatitis C has only become accessible in Australia since the late 1990's, although active injecting drug use (IDU) remained an exclusion criteria for government-funded treatment until 2001. Treatment uptake has been slow, particularly among injecting drug users, the largest affected group. We developed a peer-based integrated model of hepatitis C care at a community drug and alcohol clinic. Clients interested and eligible for hepatitis C treatment had their substance use, mental health and other psychosocial comorbidities co-managed onsite at the clinic prior to and during treatment. In a qualitative preliminary evaluation of the project, nine current patients of the clinic were interviewed, as was the clinic peer worker. A high level of patient acceptability of the peer-based model and an endorsement the integrated model of care was found. This paper describes the acceptability of a peer-based integrated model of hepatitis C care by the clients using the service.