Interventions to Curb Hepatitis C Reinfections Among Men Who Have Sex With Men
This study aims to discover better ways for men who have sex with men (MSM) to prevent getting hepatitis C again after they’ve been successfully treated. Hepatitis C can be cured, but reinfection is a concern, especially in certain groups. We are testing three approaches: an online program offering behavioural advice, a service providing easy-to-use home testing kits for hepatitis C, or a combination of both. The main goal is to see if these interventions can help reduce risky behaviours, prevent people from getting reinfected with hepatitis C, and ultimately stop the virus from spreading further. We want to find effective strategies to keep people healthy and help eliminate hepatitis C.
At a glance
What is this study about?
You might be interested in this study if you're a man who has sex with men (MSM) and you've been cured of hepatitis C in the past. Even though we now have very effective treatments that can cure hepatitis C, there's still a worry about some people getting reinfected, especially within the MSM community.
This study's main goal is to find out if certain approaches can help people avoid getting hepatitis C again. We're testing a few different ideas: one is an online program that offers advice on safer behaviours, another is a service that provides home testing kits where you can collect a sample yourself and send it off. There's also an option to try both the online program and the home testing service together. Researchers want to see if these can help reduce behaviours that might lead to reinfection and eventually stop the spread of hepatitis C.
The researchers believe that by understanding what works best, they can help prevent future hepatitis C infections. This is a crucial step towards trying to get rid of hepatitis C completely. The study will compare how well each of these different approaches works in helping people stay free from the virus.
Key takeaways
- This study focuses on preventing hepatitis C reinfection in men who have sex with men (MSM).
- It tests online advice, home-based testing, or a combination of both.
- Participation involves online questionnaires and potentially home testing.
- The goal is to reduce risky behaviours and stop the spread of hepatitis C.
- You must have been cured of hepatitis C previously to join.
- Your medical care will not be affected if you choose to withdraw.
Who may be eligible?
This study is looking for men aged 18 or older who have sex with men (MSM). You must have been successfully treated for hepatitis C in the past or had your body clear the infection on its own. This means you previously had the virus but are now clear of it.
To join, you should either be living with HIV and receiving care at an HIV clinic, or you should be HIV-negative and attending an STI (sexually transmitted infection) or sexual health clinic. You'll also need a working email address and internet access, and you must be able to understand either Dutch or English.
You cannot take part if you currently have hepatitis C or are undergoing treatment for it. Also, if you're already in another study that offers similar hepatitis C testing or behavioural advice, you won't be able to join this one. The study team will assess if you're likely to follow the study's instructions.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Are you a man at least 18 years old who has sex with men?
- Have you been cured of hepatitis C in the past (not currently infected)?
- Do you have internet access and an email address?
- Can you understand Dutch or English well?
- Are you not currently part of another similar study?
What does participation involve?
If you join this study, you will be randomly assigned to one of three groups. This means you will either receive an online program offering behavioural advice, or you will get home-based kits to test for hepatitis C, or you will receive both the online program and the home testing kits. The study involves answering questionnaires at different times to help researchers understand if the interventions are working. You won't be given any new medication for hepatitis C as part of this study, as it's focused on preventing reinfection after you've already been cured. The total length of your participation will depend on the study design, but it will involve a 'run-in' period followed by an 'intervention' period, and you'll complete questionnaires at the start and after the main part of the study.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (15)
- Le Centre 190Verified postcodeParis, France
- Maison Chemin VertVerified postcodeParis, France
- Service de maladies infectieuses et tropicales, Hôpital La Pitié-SalpêtrièreVerified postcodeParis, France
- Service de maladies infectieuses et tropicales, Hôpital Saint-AntoineVerified postcodeParis, France
- Service de maladies infectieuses et tropicales, Hôpital TenonVerified postcodeParis, France
- Public Health Service of Amsterdam (GGD Amsterdam)Verified postcodeAmsterdam, Netherlands
- Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis locatie WestVerified postcodeAmsterdam, Netherlands
- DC Klinieken LairesseVerified postcodeAmsterdam, Netherlands
- Medisch Centrum Jan van GoyenVerified postcodeAmsterdam, Netherlands
- Vrije Universiteit Medisch CentrumVerified postcodeAmsterdam, Netherlands
- Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis locatie OostVerified postcodeAmsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMC - locatie AMCVerified postcodeAmsterdam, Netherlands
Common questions
What is hepatitis C reinfection?
Hepatitis C reinfection means getting the hepatitis C virus again after you've already been cured of it.
What kind of behavioural advice will be given?
The online behavioural advice program is designed to help you understand and reduce behaviours that might put you at risk of getting hepatitis C again.
How does home-based testing work?
You would receive a kit that allows you to collect a small sample yourself, often a dried blood spot, and then send it back for testing for hepatitis C.
Is this study offering treatment for hepatitis C?
No, this study is not offering treatment. It is for people who have already been cured of hepatitis C and focuses on preventing them from getting infected again.
Will my privacy be protected in this study?
Yes, all information you provide will be kept confidential and used only for the purpose of the study, following strict privacy rules.
How to find out more
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Discussion
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