Exploring barriers and enablers to HCV DAA treatment uptake
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring barriers and enablers to hepatitis C virus direct acting antiviral treatment uptake
IRAS ID
292838
Contact name
Kathleen Bryce
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College Hospital London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Z6364106/2022/03/88, UCL data protection number
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Background
Hepatitis C infection is a major cause of liver disease in the UK and its elimination is a public health priority. However, some people find it difficult to access healthcare services and start treatment. This is important because they will miss out on the benefits of hepatitis C cure, remain at higher risk of serious liver damage and may also pass on the virus to others. Improving treatment uptake is key to hepatitis C elimination in the UK.Hepatitis C treatment is now of short duration with few side effects. We don't know enough about why some patients drop out of care or delay before starting treatment.
Research questions
What are the influences on hepatitis C DAA treatment uptake (circumstances that make it more difficult or easy to start treatment)? How can health services better support treatment uptake?Study design
We will invite (up to 15) people with hepatitis C who have not started treatment when offered it to take part in a one-to-one interview. The interview will explore the person's beliefs about hepatitis C and the reasons why they may not have started treatment when offered. It will ask about where and how the person would prefer to have their treatment. We will also interview (up to 10) other people involved in providing treatment, such as nurses, doctors, support workers and coordinators, to find out what they have observed. Interviews will take around an hour, held in a convenient location e.g., clinic room in a drug treatment service. Participants with hepatitis C will be offered a small financial (voucher) incentive to acknowledge the time and effort involved.The results of this study will help us to identify which patients need more support to start hepatitis C treatment and how best to do so.
Funding: internal research and development fund.
REC name
London - Queen Square Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/LO/0609
Date of REC Opinion
21 Oct 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion