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Learning Objective:
By the end of the presentation participants will be able to understand and appreciate two successfully implemented strategies/tools used in Switzerland to help prevent viral hepatitis infections.
Background:
Between 40 and 70% of the intravenous drug users in Switzerland are infected with Hepatitis B, between 50 and 90% are infected with Hepatitis C, and 30 to 40% are infected with both Hepatitis B and C.
For the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health it was and is imperative to reduce the number of hepatitis infections in this specific target group of intravenous drug users.
Setting:
n/a
Population e.g. API Youth, MSM, IDU:
Drug users and staff of low threshold services (safe injection rooms, homeless shelters etc.), counseling centers, treatment facilities and prisons.
Project Description:
a) Hepatitis C Campaign (http://www.aidsinfo.ch/hcv/index.html)
The Hepatitis C Campaign – financed by the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health and organized by a large number of institutions in all parts of Switzerland – was launched in 2001 and directly targeted drug users with simple and clear messages:
- Only use your own syringe (don't share and use it only once)
- Use only your own tools (e.g. spoon, filter)
- Always use clean water
These messages were presented in counseling and drop-in centers and their distribution involved peers.
b) “HepCH” Handbook (http://www.hepch.ch)
The “HepCH” handbook was published in February 2005 and distributed to virtually all institutions working with drug users. It informs generally about viral hepatitis, the spread of infection, the rules and means to prevent infections and treatment possibilities.
Results/Lessons Learned:
The Hepatitis C Campaign is considered highly successful; it reached its target audience and the messages were understood. However, it is necessary to repeat such campaigns every two to three years.
So far, the “HepCH” handbook is regarded as very useful for daily work and will be regularly updated with new information, facts and insights concerning viral hepatitis.
Web Page: www.hepch.ch
See more of Poster Session #2
See more of The 2005 National Viral Hepatitis Prevention Conference