Gauging acceptance of a hepatitis C test by family planning clinic attendees in Glasgow, UK

Sharp, L. , Hutchinson, S. J., Goldberg, D., Taylor, A. and Carr, S. (2007) Gauging acceptance of a hepatitis C test by family planning clinic attendees in Glasgow, UK. Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care, 33(4), pp. 263-266. (doi: 10.1783/147118907782101805) (PMID:17925111)

Abstract

Background In the UK, pregnant women are not offered and recommended a hepatitis C virus (HCV) test because no effective intervention to prevent vertical transmission of HCV exists following conception. Mother-to-child transmission of HCV could, however, be reduced if infected women planning to have children underwent a course of therapy prior to conception. Objective To determine what proportion of female family planning clinic (FPC) attendees would hypothetically accept an HCV test if they were offered it and to identify the factors associated with such a decision. Methods Opportunistic sampling was used to recruit 1000 women attending FPCs in Glasgow during 2002/2003. Participants were asked to self-complete a brief questionnaire about HCV and testing. Results Of 964 participants, 62% reported that they would accept an HCV test if it was offered in the family planning setting and 24% indicated that they were undecided. Only 4% of women reported that they would be offended if offered an HCV test. The highest rates of hypothetical acceptance of an HCV test were reported among those who had ever injected drugs (88%) and those who felt that they were at risk of being infected with HCV (84%). Women who were single [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.8] and who were of non-white ethnic origin (adjusted OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.0–6.2) were also significantly more inclined to hypothetically accept an HCV test. Conclusion Selective HCV testing to those women at high risk of HCV infection should be encouraged in the family planning setting.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Sharp, Dr Laura
• Authors: Sharp, L., Hutchinson, S. J., Goldberg, D., Taylor, A., and Carr, S.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
• Journal Name: Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• ISSN: 1471-1893
• ISSN (Online): 2045-2098)