Theme: Models of Care Year: 2023
Background:
Kenya has a large population of people who inject drugs, HCV infections prevalence among PWIDs is higher compared to the general population yet little is known about HCV characterization among people who inject drugs Kenya. We assess the prevalence of HCV characterization of clients, estimated incidence and co-morbidities associated with HCV among people who inject drugs in Mombasa, Kenya
Description of model of care/intervention:
An analysis of longitudinal programmatic data conducted at Kisauni MAT clinic between September 2015 and June 2022. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected during client induction to MAT and during routine clinic follow-up visits using standard Ministry of Health data collection tools. Statistical approaches were used to carry out retrospective and descriptive analyses of the client’s data to determine their profile, co-morbidities and estimated incidences
Effectiveness:
A total of 1679 clients on MAT analyzed, females 13% (159), aged 50 years and above were 5.5% (69), primary education was most reported at 73% (1225). The incidence of HCV was at 9% (151), females at 16% (25) males at 84% (126). HIV infection among clients with HCV was at 91% (138) while HBV infection among clients with HCV was at 92%. HCV clients with both HIV and HBV co-infection was at 91%. 100% (151) of clients found to have history of injecting drug use on enrolment to the program.
Conclusion and next steps:
Male PWIDs remains the most popular group affected by HCV. All HCV clients identified had history of injecting drug use (PWID). HBV co-morbidities leads in clients with HCV compared to other blood bone infections. Most clients have low education level an indicator that likely to influence HCV treatment, prevention and retention to care. Understanding incidence, characteristics of clients and co-morbidities trends is central in aiding a holistic treatment approach for PWID harm reduction program.