Theme: Models of Care Year: 2022
Background: Screening and treatment for hepatitis C is a high priority for patients using intravenous drugs
(active PWID) to accomplish the WHO HCV elimination goals by 2030.
Simplification of the treatment cascade is a key to reaching this goal.
Description of model of care/intervention: Between 2019 and 2021, a team of ex drug addicts cured for
hepatitis C accompanied by nurses or doctors made 4 roadtrips in Burgundy county and stopped in
addictological structures to meet drug users and offer screening for hepatitis C.
Three tools were proposed : HCV RADT, fibroScan, POCT (HCV fingerstick RT PCR testing)
• Screen patients for hepatitis C by RADT. If they are, check virologic confirmation with POCT and
assessment for fibrosis with FibroScan and prescribed the same day.
• Confirm the cure for patients treated for their hepatitis C by doing a viral research after
treatment with POCT (Check recontaminations and put them back again into care if it’s
necessary)
• Assessment of hepatic elastometry for all patients who wish it with the aim of detecting cirrhosis.
Effectiveness: 411 people met. 394 rapid diagnostic tests were done. 42 were positifs. After POCT : 30
ARN+, all with FibroScan <2.
Among these 30 drug users, 2 recontaminated, 1 had treatment failure and was oriented on an expert
service
The POCT also allows to confirm cure for 21 persons.
Conclusion and next steps: A roadtrip led by cured patients of hepatitis C, ex drug users forsome of them,
members of an association and trained with screening tools is a guarantee of listening and recognition by
active drug users. the positive screening rate and the access to care or health care is proof of the
effectiveness of such a device.
Disclosure of Interest: None.