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Learning Objective:
By the end of the presentation participants will be able to:
1. Describe challenges that needle exchange programs face in adapting HIV prevention activities to the demands of hepatitis C prevention.
2. Identify new hepatitis C prevention program and intervention models.
3. Discuss the role of technical assistance and capacity-building in supporting the adoption and implementation of new hepatitis C prevention models into needle exchange and HIV prevention programs.
Background:
Needle exchange programs (NEPs) emerged in the late 1980s as a strategy to prevent HIV among injection drug users (IDUs). Numerous studies and reports have demonstrated the efficacy of NEPs in reducing HIV rates among IDUs; in New York City, HIV prevalence among drug injectors dropped by 75% since the introduction of NEPs. However, the effect of NEPs on hepatitis C incidence is less clear, and programs have struggled to develop and incorporate new methods and approaches to address HCV.
Setting:
Needle exchange programs
Population e.g. API Youth, MSM, IDU:
Injection drug users
Project Description:
The Hepatitis C Harm Reduction Project has worked with New York City NEPs since 2003 to incorporate HCV initiatives. Through trainings and technical assistance, this project has developed and piloted innovative prevention programs aimed at a range of sub-groups of IDUs. This presentation will review the role and history of the Hepatitis C Harm Reduction Project in building capacity in NEPs to prevent hepatitis C, and describe opportunities and challenges in introducing select new models of HCV prevention through needle exchange.
Results/Lessons Learned:
Needle exchange programs can play a crucial role in HCV prevention, but NEPs require support, guidance, and training in order to adapt HIV prevention activities to the distinct challenges of HCV. Promising new models for HCV prevention are emerging at New York City NEPs that should be adapted and incorporated more broadly.
Web Page: www.hepcproject.org
See more of J3 - The Changing Role of Syringe Exchange Programs in Response to Prevention of Hepatitis
See more of The 2005 National Viral Hepatitis Prevention Conference