TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2022//
TI  - Prevalence of hepatitis C in sexual assault survivors presenting to a SANE clinic: a descriptive analysis
JO  - Journal of viral hepatitis
A1  - Ward, Erin
A1  - Carlisle, Nicholas
A1  - Williams, Ebony
A1  - Heath, Sonya L.
A1  - Meloun, Kellie
A1  - Walter, Lauren A.
SP  - ePub
EP  - ePub
VL  - ePub
IS  - ePub
N2  - While previous epidemiologic research has demonstrated that sexual assault survivors (SAS) may be at disproportionate risk for exposure to Hepatitis C (HCV), HCV screening in SAS is not addressed in current post-sexual assault testing recommendations. We sought to identify the prevalence of HCV among a SAS cohort along with associated basic demographics. Opt-out HCV antibody screening and RNA confirmatory testing was provided for all SAS at a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) clinic in Birmingham, Alabama from April 2020 through March 2021. A retrospective chart review was conducted using descriptive statistical and Chi-squared analyses. A total of 293 SAS presented to the clinic during the study timeframe. Two hundred forty-two (82.6%) were screened for HCV and 26 (8.9%) were found to be HCV antibody (Ab) positive [significantly higher than state (<1.0%) and national (1.0%) HCV incidence rates (p <.0001)]. SAS age groups 25-34 and 35-44 were more likely to screen HCV Ab positive (15.2% and 14.9% respectively; p =.02). Female SAS were more likely to be tested for HCV then males (p =.02), although male SAS were more likely to be found HCV Ab positive when screened (24.4%, p <.0001). Overall, SAS demographics also demonstrate the presence of significant social vulnerabilities, specifically high rates of homelessness (4.4%) and incarceration (5.1%). This data highlights the potential impact of universal HCV screening and risk counseling in a high social risk population and suggests a potential for future focused interventions.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1352-0504
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jvh.13675
ID  - ref1
ER  -