Grant: Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

Hepatitis C is one of Canada's most burdensome infectious illnesses, causing liver cirrhosis, cancer and transplantation. New and highly effective treatments, known as direct-acting antivirals, now provide the prospect of an actual cure for individuals and the potential for eradicating Hepatitis C in Canada. Up to 85% of new Hepatitis C infections in Canada occur in people who inject drugs (PWID). Multiple factors, such as stigmatization and disconnected health services, impede access to Hepatitis C testing and treatment for PWID. The World Health Organization and Public Health Agency of Canada recently identified improving access to community-based care for PWID as a key step for Hepatitis C eradication. The goal of this postdoctoral research program is to investigate how best to implement high-quality Hepatitis C care in communities for PWID in Canada. Specific objectives are to: (1) identify barriers and enablers to community-based Hepatitis C testing and treatment for PWID and effective strategies to overcome barriers and enhance enablers; (2) co-design an implementation intervention for increasing Hepatitis C testing and treatment in communities with PWID, clinicians, community organization leaders and policy-makers; and (3) pilot the intervention in four community organizations serving PWID to assess its impact on Hepatitis C testing and treatment rates, Hepatitis C cure, feasibility, acceptability and costs. This research program was developed and will be undertaken with key stakeholders from the Canadian Network on Hepatitis C, building on their content expertise, contacts and resources. Advanced approaches from Implementation Science will be used to identify barriers and enablers, effective intervention strategies and co-design the intervention with stakeholders. Ultimately, this research will give a voice to PWID, and improve their access to Hepatitis C testing, treatment and prevention services, contributing to Hepatitis C eradication in Canada.