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Learning Objective:
By the end of the presentation participants will be able to describe a model for integrating viral hepatitis awareness and education in substance abuse treatment centers.
Background:
The Center for Drug Free Living, Inc. (CFDFL) provides hepatitis awareness, education, intervention, and testing programs within residential and oupatient substance abuse treatment agencies.
Setting:
HIV high risk testing and counseling program within substance abuse treatment agencies
Population e.g. API Youth, MSM, IDU:
Adult substance abuse treatment clients who are at risk for HIV and viral hepatitis infection or the serious consequences of infection
Project Description:
The CFDFL has successfully incorporated hepatitis education within its HIV high risk testing and counseling program. The CFDFL includes the following objectives in its HIV/viral hepatitis educational integration program: 1) provide all client programs with at least one group education about hepatitis A, B, and C; 2) offer all clients confidential testing for hepatitis A, B, and C; 3) provide all clients with educational information that promotes a healthier liver, including nutrition, exercise, abstaining from alcohol, and maintenance of sobriety; 4) offer follow-up and/or confirmatory testing and possible care/treatment referrals for any clients who test positive for hepatitis C; and 5) provide vaccination for hepatitis A and B to appropriate clients.
Results/Lessons Learned:
Through integration of services, the CFDFL has provided a model for addressing viral hepatitis infection and the serious consequence of infection in the substance abuse treatment community. Although unfunded, viral hepatitis counseling and testing programs can be developed and implemented within existing HIV high risk counseling and testing programs. Offering hepatitis A and B immunizations in substance abuse treatment programs for both outpatient and inpatient clients improves adherence to the recommended vaccine schedule. In addition, hepatitis counseling and testing provides clients information needed to keep themselves and others as healthy as possible.
Web Page: www.cfdfl.com
See more of D4 - Integrating HCV Prevention in Substance Abuse Programs
See more of The 2005 National Viral Hepatitis Prevention Conference