Understanding hepatitis C virus (HCV) health literacy and educational needs among people in prison to enhance HCV care in prisons.

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a significant concern within prison populations. Provision of HCV testing and treatment for people in prison is expanding and a key component of global elimination efforts. Despite growing service availability, several challenges remain in HCV testing and treatment engagement during incarceration. The PIVOT study demonstrated that a 'one-stop-shop' intervention (point-of-care HCV RNA testing, Fibroscan®, nurse-led clinical assessment, and fast-tracked direct-acting antiviral prescription) enhanced HCV testing and treatment at a reception prison in Australia. Utilising Squier et al's Health Literacy Skills Framework, this analysis aimed to understand HCV health literacy and educational needs among people at a reception prison in Australia.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty-four male PIVOT study participants. Purposive sampling ensured comparable representation of those with: 1) prior HCV testing history (standard pathology / no prior testing), and 2) injecting drug use history (IDU; ever / never).

RESULTS

Varied HCV health literacy levels and educational needs were evident amongst people in prison. Whilst those with multiple incarceration episodes and IDU history (prior knowledge) appeared to have stronger HCV health literacy than those without, substantial gaps in HCV health literacy were evident. Knowledge of HCV transmission risks in prison was high, and most understood the importance of HCV testing and treatment in prison (comprehension), but ability to engage with HCV testing and treatment services, participation in safe injecting behaviours (health-related behaviours), and knowledge of re-infection and re-treatment, within the context of the prison environment, were suboptimal. There was a general desire for increased HCV education in prison.

CONCLUSION

Gaps in HCV health literacy among people in prison were evident, indicating opportunities for improvement. A targeted HCV education program for people in prison, addressing the gaps identified in this analysis, may enhance HCV testing, treatment, and prevention by fostering stronger HCV health literacy among people in prison.