Public Health, Epidemiology & Nutrition

Biography

Biography: Shu Hui Hung

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is ranked as one of high risk chronic disease in Taiwan. HCV can be transmitted by exposure to infective blood mostly, such as injection drug/medical use and other skin touch based devices will also possible cause the epidemic spread. Most HCV infected people do not know they got it. HCV patients were requested to take regular treatment for 48 weeks. Hence, the effectiveness of treatment is slow, and its side effects cause patients give up frequently. Recently, Taiwan government promotes a new treatment with high cure rate.  The purpose of this study is to develop a platform to assist clinics introducing HCV patients, who had dropped or failed the previous treatment result, about  how good the new treatment can do to them, and allows patients to make their own decision whether take it or not. A platform designed and implemented as patients record management and education to be utilized during HCV patients’ decision aids processes from local clinics. Selected target patients with released treatment news with local clinic appointments available date with incentive gifts via text message. While target patients walk-in clinics, the nurse would guide them follow a series of updated HCV education and encourage patients to get HCV blood test. The platform has been recruited 125 patients among 8 clinics to participate within 90 days. 23 out of 125 refused to get the blood test. One-Third of them tested were HCV positive, and decided to accept the new treatment. The platform stimulates HCV patients are more willing to follow new treatment and doctor advice than usual. Among targeted patients who refused to take a test don’t think they have it by comparing HCV symptoms. Yet, they understand HCV can be cured by taking oral medication. It is important providing accurate HCV cure information to public, and also educate us to be aware of how to control HCV in order to promote better living quality.