Peer to peer communication about hepatitis C treatment amongst people who inject drugs: A longitudinal qualitative study.
Direct-acting antiviral treatment
Hepatitis c virus
Longitudinal qualitative research
Peer communication
People who inject drugs
Journal
The International journal on drug policy
ISSN: 1873-4758
Titre abrégé: Int J Drug Policy
Pays: Netherlands
ID NLM: 9014759
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
01 2021
01 2021
Historique:
received:
24
07
2020
revised:
23
09
2020
accepted:
09
10
2020
pubmed:
31
10
2020
medline:
29
7
2021
entrez:
30
10
2020
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Little is known about how information on direct-acting antiviral treatment for hepatitis C circulates through peer networks of people who inject drugs. In this study we aimed to explore what and how treatment-related information is shared between people undergoing treatment and their peers. Participants were recruited from two general practice clinics and the community-based hepatitis C Treatment and Prevention Study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with each participant (N = 20) before, during and following treatment. Interviews explored hepatitis C treatment experiences, key sources of DAA information and the impact of receiving and sharing knowledge. Inductive thematic analysis was conducted. Time sequential matrices were generated to understand thematic change over time. Fifty-four interviews were conducted with 20 participants across seven field-sites in Melbourne, Australia. Key themes were: 'peers as a source treatment information', 'do it together' and 'becoming a treatment advocate'. Peers were a crucial trusted source of information. Positive treatment anecdotes were important for building confidence in and motivation to initiate treatment. Many participants adopted a 'treatment advocate' role in their close peer networks, which was described as empowering. Some participants described benefits of undertaking treatment alongside members of their close network. Findings illustrate the importance of close peers in shaping treatment perceptions and engagement. This will be important in designing health promotion messaging and interventions to increase treatment uptake.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Little is known about how information on direct-acting antiviral treatment for hepatitis C circulates through peer networks of people who inject drugs. In this study we aimed to explore what and how treatment-related information is shared between people undergoing treatment and their peers.
METHODS
Participants were recruited from two general practice clinics and the community-based hepatitis C Treatment and Prevention Study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with each participant (N = 20) before, during and following treatment. Interviews explored hepatitis C treatment experiences, key sources of DAA information and the impact of receiving and sharing knowledge. Inductive thematic analysis was conducted. Time sequential matrices were generated to understand thematic change over time.
RESULTS
Fifty-four interviews were conducted with 20 participants across seven field-sites in Melbourne, Australia. Key themes were: 'peers as a source treatment information', 'do it together' and 'becoming a treatment advocate'. Peers were a crucial trusted source of information. Positive treatment anecdotes were important for building confidence in and motivation to initiate treatment. Many participants adopted a 'treatment advocate' role in their close peer networks, which was described as empowering. Some participants described benefits of undertaking treatment alongside members of their close network.
CONCLUSION
Findings illustrate the importance of close peers in shaping treatment perceptions and engagement. This will be important in designing health promotion messaging and interventions to increase treatment uptake.
Identifiants
pubmed: 33126166
pii: S0955-3959(20)30321-2
doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.102983
pii:
doi:
Substances chimiques
Antiviral Agents
0
Pharmaceutical Preparations
0
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
102983Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Declaration of Interests SG and DH have no competing interests to declare. JD and MH have received investigator-initiated research funding to their institution from Gilead Sciences, Abbvie, Merck and Bristol Myers Squibb. JD's institution has received funding for consultancies from Gilead Sciences, Abbvie, and Merck. PH has received investigator-initiated research funding to his institution from Gilead Sciences and Abbvie.