A community-based participatory research approach to evaluating and improving hepatitis C risk, knowledge, and stigma associations among people who inject substances in Indiana.
Public Health Nurs
; 2024 Jul 02.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38953436
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
To explore hepatitis C risk, knowledge, and stigma among individuals who inject substances in South Central Indiana.DESIGN:
A cross-sectional study design was employed using a community-based participatory research approach. The community partner was a grassroots harm reduction organization. SAMPLE Participants in this study were at least 18 years of age, current residents of Indiana, and self-identified as injection substance users (n = 179). MEASUREMENTS The survey measured hepatitis C risk, knowledge, and stigma, as well as differences in hepatitis C risk scores among key demographic characteristics.RESULTS:
Most participants identified as male (n = 106, 59%), White (n = 139, 78%), and straight (n = 143, 80%). People of color reported lower hepatitis C knowledge than White participants. Women had significantly lower hepatitis C knowledge compared with men. LGBTQ participants reported increased hepatitis C risk compared with straight participants. Increased frequency of substance use was associated with decreased stigma. Unhoused participants demonstrated significantly lower hepatitis C knowledge compared with housing-secure participants.CONCLUSIONS:
Our findings increase understanding that knowledge and risk around hepatitis C are associated with demographic characteristics. Results underscore the need for tailored public health interventions to increase hepatitis C knowledge, reduce stigma, and improve testing and treatment among vulnerable populations.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Language:
En
Journal:
Public Health Nurs
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country: