Hepatitis C infection, related services, and barriers to HCV treatment among drug users in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) clinics in Shanghai, China

Zhi-Bin Li, Lei Zhang, Jun Wang, Le-Ping Huang, Zhi-Rong Zhou, Yi-Ning Cao, Min Zhao, Jiang Du, Zhi-Bin Li, Lei Zhang, Jun Wang, Le-Ping Huang, Zhi-Rong Zhou, Yi-Ning Cao, Min Zhao, Jiang Du

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to document the prevalence of hepatitis C among MMT patients, hepatitis C virus (HCV) knowledge of patients and MMT staff members, and the barriers preventing them from receiving or delivering HCV-related services in MMT clinics of China.

Methods: Data were collected from 240 MMT patients and 58 staff members in Shanghai MMT clinics. Structured questionnaires (HCV Knowledge Scale and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) and several self-developed questionnaires were used to assess (1) patient and staff HCV knowledge, (2) attitudes toward HCV-related services in MMT clinics, and (3) what type of HCV-related services the staff members have provided in their routine work. The HCV test results were based on the patients' medical records.

Results: The HCV seropositive rate was high (70%), and both patients and staff had limited HCV knowledge. The mean score of patient HCV knowledge was 6.8 out of 20 (SD = 3.7), whereas the mean score of staff HCV knowledge was 10.9 out of 20 (SD = 3.1). For HCV-positive patients, only 13.7% had accessed HCV medical treatment. Barriers included the cost of medical treatment, lack of HCV knowledge, lack of professional training for patients to receive HCV-related services from individuals or MMT clinics, and lack of an adequate policy-making system.

Conclusions: HCV infection remains an important problem among MMT patients in China. Barriers to HCV-related services are attributable to individual, clinical, and policy-related factors. This study may provide evidence-based information for future work to optimize the resources of MMT clinics.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01647191 . Registered 17 April 2012.

Keywords: China; Hepatitis C; Heroin dependent; Methadone maintenance treatment.

Conflict of interest statement

Authors’ information

Biographical notes of the first authors: Zhi-Bin LI, female, born in 1986, M.D., majoring in drug abuse treatment. Lei ZHANG, female, born in 1991, Master of Psychology, majoring in Social Psychology and Mental Health.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

The research protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Shanghai Mental Health Center, and each subject signed the informed consent form approved by the IRB at the Shanghai Mental Health Center. Board Name: IRB00002733-SHANGHAI MENTAL HEALTH CTR 2RB. The committee’s reference number was NO. 2012-56C2.

Consent for publication

All participants signed consent forms.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

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Source: PubMed

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