Khan Afrasyab, Tarr Anna, Berahmana Arvenia Boyke, Johnson Eric, Schultz Michael, Johnson Steven
Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Gastroenterol Hepatol Bed Bench. 2024;17(3):260-269. doi: 10.22037/ghfbb.v17i3.2989.
We assessed the feasibility of point-of-care testing to gain insights into participants' knowledge, experience and its effect on hepatitis C management.
In New Zealand, only 50% of people infected with hepatitis C (HCV) are currently diagnosed. HCV infection is the most common diagnosis leading to liver transplantation in New Zealand. A point-of-care test can streamline HCV management.
The OraQuick HCV test (mouth swab or finger-prick) was offered to participants aged 45 to 65 and anyone with a risk factor for hepatitis C. Data collected included demographics, risk factors, and participant experience with testing.
A total of 218 participants were recruited. The median age was 29 years (IQR 22 to 46). All the tests via the finger-prick method were negative. Fourteen positive mouth-swab tests were negative on ELISA testing. One person was detected to have HCV infection and treated. Knowledge regarding HCV was low. There were no statistically significant differences in knowledge between participants with different education levels, F (4213=0.857, P=0.491 and different ethnicities, F (4,213)0.857, P=0.491. The majority of study participants preferred the point-of-care test.
Point-of-care testing for HCV is feasible and preferred. Knowledge regarding HCV was low. This study has also provided valuable insights into the viability and experience of offering point-of-care testing.
我们评估了即时检测对于深入了解参与者的知识、经验及其对丙型肝炎管理的影响的可行性。
在新西兰，目前只有50%的丙型肝炎（HCV）感染者被诊断出来。HCV感染是新西兰导致肝移植的最常见诊断原因。即时检测可以简化HCV管理。
向45至65岁的参与者以及任何有丙型肝炎危险因素的人提供OraQuick HCV检测（口腔拭子或手指采血）。收集的数据包括人口统计学信息、危险因素以及参与者的检测经验。
共招募了218名参与者。中位年龄为29岁（四分位间距为22至46岁）。所有通过手指采血方法进行的检测均为阴性。14次口腔拭子检测呈阳性，但酶联免疫吸附测定检测为阴性。检测出1人感染HCV并接受了治疗。关于HCV的知识水平较低。不同教育水平的参与者之间在知识方面没有统计学上的显著差异，F(4,213)=0.857，P=0.491；不同种族的参与者之间也没有显著差异，F(4,213)=0.857，P=0.491。大多数研究参与者更喜欢即时检测。
HCV即时检测是可行的且更受青睐。关于HCV的知识水平较低。本研究还为提供即时检测的可行性和经验提供了有价值的见解。
