Prevention of hepatitis C virus infection among injecting drug users - hepatitis C virus infection treatment rate among injecting drug users, treatment efficacy and related factors on the side of treatment system

Background: Injecting drug users (IDUs) represent considerable group of patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV treatment is an effective tool for reduction of HCV transmissions among IDUs. Nevertheless treatment rate among IDUs is rather insufficient. Treatment uptake, provision and adherence as well as its efficacy in IDUs are determined by number of specific factors. Aims: Mapping an extent of the provision of HCV treatment to IDUs in the Czech Republic, rules and practices for the admission of IDUs into HCV treatment and its provision, describing relevant factors related to drug use. Material and methods: From January to March 2011, a questionnaire survey among centres for treatment of viral hepatitis in the Czech Republic was conducted. 76 identified centres were addressed, of which 45 (59%) responded, and 40 (53%) filled in an online questionnaire. Results: Estimated number of centres treated HCV with combination of pegylated interferon α and ribavirin in the Czech Republic in 2010 was 61, 39 of them treated IDUs. Estimated 780 persons were treated, of whom 370 were (mostly ex-) IDUs. Reported treatment uptake in IDUs was 60% on average (range 0-90%). Treatment is completed by 80% of IDUs on average (0-100%) according to clinicians. Most clinicians reported no difference in the treatment..