Usability, acceptability, and self-reported impact of an innovative hepatitis C risk reduction intervention for men have sex with men: A mixed methods study

Tamara Prinsenberg; Joël Illidge; Paul Zantkuijl; Maarten Bedert; Maria Prins; Marc van der Valk; Udi Davidovich

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0263654

Usability, acceptability, and self-reported impact of an innovative hepatitis C risk reduction intervention for men have sex with men: A mixed methods study

PLoS One. 2022 Feb 18;17(2):e0263654. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263654. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Tamara Prinsenberg^{1

2}, Joël Illidge¹, Paul Zantkuijl³, Maarten Bedert², Maria Prins^{1

2}, Marc van der Valk^{2

4}, Udi Davidovich^{1

5}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Infectious Diseases Research and Prevention, Public Health Service of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
² Department of Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
³ SOA Aids Nederland, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
⁴ Stichting HIV Monitoring, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
⁵ Department of Social Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination among men who have sex with men (MSM) is unlikely to be feasible without effective behavioural interventions. We developed a multilevel intervention to reduce HCV transmission among MSM in Amsterdam. The intervention includes a toolbox to facilitate risk reduction among MSM and support health care professionals in risk reduction counselling. To assess the use of the toolbox and its impact on behavior, we conducted a mixed-methods study. We collected data through online questionnaires (n = 49), and in-depth interviews with MSM at risk of HCV (n = 15) and health care professionals (n = 7). We found that the toolbox has been well received by MSM, increased awareness of HCV risks and has facilitated preventive behaviours and risk-reduction communication with peers. Professionals reported the toolbox to be a useful aid for discussions about HCV risk and risk reduction strategies with their clients.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Awareness
Behavior Therapy / methods*
Hepacivirus*
Hepatitis C / epidemiology
Hepatitis C / prevention & control*
Hepatitis C / virology
Homosexuality, Male / psychology*
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Netherlands / epidemiology
Patient Acceptance of Health Care / psychology*
Risk Factors
Risk Reduction Behavior*
Self Report*
Sexual and Gender Minorities / psychology*

Grants and funding

This study was performed within the MC Free consortium. MC Free is funded by grants from Gilead Sciences, AbbVie, Janssen-Cilag, Merck Sharpe & Dohme, and Roche Diagnostics. The funders had no involvement in the study design, writing of the manuscript, and decision to submit the article for publication. TP and MP report speaker fees and grants from Gilead Sciences, Merck Sharpe & Dohme, and AbbVie paid to their institute. MvdV's institute received unrestricted research grants and consultancy fees from AbbVie, Gilead, Johnson & Johnson, Merck Sharpe & Dohme, and ViiV Health Care.