Indigenous Led Hepatitis C Treatment Model To Achieve Elimination In Big River First Nation


Author: McAdam R, Gardiner C, Pandey M, Skinner S, Smith L A, Klein D

Theme: Models of Care Year: 2018

Background:
In Indigenous communities high Hepatitis C (HCV) rates related to injection drug use is
observed, but limited access to HCV screening and treatment often lead to poor health
outcomes. Following community consultation, HCV was acknowledged as a health priority in Big
River First Nation, Canada (BRFN). With community leadership’s approval, community
members partnered with Infectious Disease specialist (IDs) and health researchers, obtaining
funding to develop a community lead HCV care model and elimination program.
Approach:
Central to this community led HCV care model is community based nursing staff providing
accessible screening, counseling, education and support in community. Directly Observed
Therapy is implemented to ensure greater adherence to HCV treatment and addiction treatment
is offered through the suboxone program. Additional support and case management is
coordinated through texting. Elders and community members provide culturally appropriate
mental health and addiction support, cultural ceremonies and education. Administrative staff
manages logistics aspects of program delivery and liaise between frontline providers and
community leadership. Chief and Council promote screening and treatment uptake and
advocate for sustainable funding from provincial and federal governments. Clinical care is
managed by community nurse in collaboration with IDs in urban center through face-to-face
consultation in community and through telehealth.
Outcome:
Since 2016, 130 individuals were screened, out of which 51 are active injection drug users, 11
(28%) spontaneously cleared, 40 (31%) are antibody positive, 21/29 (73%) are on treatment, 17
completed treatment.
Conclusion:
This culturally supportive, community led model effectively improved access to timely screening,
diagnosis and treatment for HCV positive patients in BRFN, even amongst people with IDU.
Collaborative partnership with academics and clinicians can help communities develop
community focused health interventions. Future efforts will be directed towards reducing new
and reinfections and programing has been scaled up to achieve elimination.

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