TY - JOUR
T1 - An uncontrolled feasibility study of a group intervention to reduce hepatitis C transmission risk behaviours and increase transmission knowledge among women who inject drugs
AU - Gilchrist, Gail
AU - Tirado-Munoz, Judit
AU - Taylor, Avril
AU - Fischer, Gabrielle
AU - Moskalewicz, Jacek
AU - Kochl, Birgit
AU - Giammarchi, Cinzia
AU - Dabrowska, K.
AU - Shaw, April
AU - Munro, Alison
AU - Di Furia, Lucia
AU - Torrens, Marta
PY - 2016/7/7
Y1 - 2016/7/7
N2 - Aims: This study aimed to develop and test the feasibility, acceptability and initial effectiveness of a three-session psychosocial group intervention to reduce hepatitis C risk behaviours and increase hepatitis C transmission knowledge among women who inject drugs in five European cities/towns. Methods: An uncontrolled, field effectiveness study of a psychosocial group intervention. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission knowledge, sexual and drug risk behaviours and depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline and one-month post-intervention. Intention-to-treat analyses were conducted. Findings: One-month post-intervention, a significant increase was reported in HCV transmission knowledge and in the number of new and unused needles/syringes used to inject. There were significant reductions in the sharing of spoons/containers for mixing that had been used by someone else, sharing of filters, cookers, spoons or water with someone who was hepatitis C positive and the use of alcohol swabs following injection. Conclusions: The intervention showed promising results in reducing some hepatitis C injecting risk behaviours and increasing hepatitis C transmission knowledge among women who inject drugs. These preliminary findings suggest that it is feasible to deliver the intervention in drug treatment settings, and that the intervention was acceptable to both participants and staff.
AB - Aims: This study aimed to develop and test the feasibility, acceptability and initial effectiveness of a three-session psychosocial group intervention to reduce hepatitis C risk behaviours and increase hepatitis C transmission knowledge among women who inject drugs in five European cities/towns. Methods: An uncontrolled, field effectiveness study of a psychosocial group intervention. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission knowledge, sexual and drug risk behaviours and depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline and one-month post-intervention. Intention-to-treat analyses were conducted. Findings: One-month post-intervention, a significant increase was reported in HCV transmission knowledge and in the number of new and unused needles/syringes used to inject. There were significant reductions in the sharing of spoons/containers for mixing that had been used by someone else, sharing of filters, cookers, spoons or water with someone who was hepatitis C positive and the use of alcohol swabs following injection. Conclusions: The intervention showed promising results in reducing some hepatitis C injecting risk behaviours and increasing hepatitis C transmission knowledge among women who inject drugs. These preliminary findings suggest that it is feasible to deliver the intervention in drug treatment settings, and that the intervention was acceptable to both participants and staff.
U2 - 10.1080/09687637.2016.1197885
DO - 10.1080/09687637.2016.1197885
M3 - Article
SN - 0968-7637
SP - 1
EP - 10
JO - Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy
JF - Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy
ER -