Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony, Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
Behavioral Science Training Program in Drug Abuse Research, Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
Subst Use Misuse. 2021;56(5):728-737. doi: 10.1080/10826084.2021.1892142. Epub 2021 Mar 7.
The incidence of hepatitis C (HCV) infection is rising among people who inject drugs (PWID). Even in the context of known HCV prevention and treatment strategies, some PWID remain unengaged in HCV care. This study aimed to identify and characterize experiences and perceptions of PWID regarding the acceptability and effectiveness of HCV testing and treatment at a local syringe service program (SSP). A total of 36 PWID participated in semi-structured interviews at an SSP in New York City. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded by three coders, following a constructivist grounded theory approach. Relevant themes were identified as they emerged from the data. Interviews with PWID revealed three themes related to the impact of SSPs on HCV care: (1) non-stigmatizing SSP environments, (2) the role of SSPs in improving HCV knowledge, and (3) acceptability of SSPs as sites for HCV care among PWID. This paper contributes to the ongoing understanding that SSPs provide a well-accepted source of HCV services for PWID. Participants believed that SSPs are accessible and effective sites for HCV care, and suggested that stigma among PWID continues to affect receipt of HCV care in traditional settings. Understanding attitudes and beliefs of PWID regarding the effectiveness of SSPs as sites for HCV care is crucial for the development of focused strategies to reduce HCV transmission, and to ultimately achieve HCV elimination. Given this, further research is warranted investigating how best to improve HCV care at harm reduction sites such as SSPs.
丙型肝炎（HCV）感染在注射毒品者（PWID）中的发病率正在上升。即使在已知的 HCV 预防和治疗策略的背景下，一些 PWID 仍然没有参与 HCV 护理。本研究旨在确定和描述 PWID 对当地注射器服务计划（SSP）中 HCV 检测和治疗的可接受性和有效性的经验和看法。
在纽约市的一个 SSP 中，共有 36 名 PWID 参加了半结构化访谈。访谈采用录音、转录和三位编码员编码的方式进行，遵循建构主义扎根理论方法。从数据中出现的相关主题被确定。
与 PWID 的访谈揭示了 SSP 对 HCV 护理的影响的三个主题：（1）非污名化的 SSP 环境；（2）SSP 在提高 HCV 知识方面的作用；（3）PWID 对 SSP 作为 HCV 护理场所的可接受性。
本文有助于理解 SSP 为 PWID 提供了可接受的 HCV 服务来源。参与者认为 SSP 是 HCV 护理的可及和有效的场所，并认为 PWID 中的污名继续影响他们在传统场所接受 HCV 护理。
了解 PWID 对 SSP 作为 HCV 护理场所的有效性的态度和信念，对于制定减少 HCV 传播的重点策略以及最终实现 HCV 消除至关重要。因此，有必要进一步研究如何在 SSP 等减少伤害场所中更好地改善 HCV 护理。
