National HIV Prevention Conference Atlanta, Georgia, USA — August 29- September 1, 1999

Natl HIV Prev Conf 1999 Aug 29-Sep 1:(abstract no. 729)
Jones TS, Alter MJ, Margolis HS; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA. Fax: (404) 639-5260. E-mail: tsj1@cdc.gov.

ISSUE: Incorporating the prevention and management of viral hepatitis (hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C) into HIV and STD prevention activities is good public health.

SETTINGS: HIV and STD prevention settings (HIV counseling and testing sites, STD clinics, correctional institutions, drug treatment programs, etc.).

PROJECT: Substantial adjustments and changes in the current activities in HIV and STD prevention facilities will be required to incorporate viral hepatitis. "Client-centered" counseling risk reduction messages need to address viral hepatitis as well as HIV and STD issues. Clinic flow is likely to be affected by the addition of viral hepatitis counseling, testing, and vaccination services. New easy-to-understand, culturally sensitive information pieces on viral hepatitis need to be developed as well as sources of laboratory testing for hepatitis B and C, vaccines for hepatitis A and B, medical management for persons with chronic hepatitis B and/or C, and referrals. As a first step, selected HIV and STD prevention facilities should implement demonstration programs combining viral hepatitis with HIV/STD prevention to develop models for more wide spread implementation. Limited funding for viral hepatitis prevention and existing categorical funding streams are both potential problems.

RESULTS: Several state/local HIV and STD programs are initiating demonstration programs incorporating viral hepatitis (focusing particularly on hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis C counseling and testing) into existing HIV/STD facilities. CDC is (a) planning to fund additional demonstration programs incorporating viral hepatitis prevention with HIV/STD prevention activities and (b) developing new guidance on viral hepatitis "client-centered" counseling.

LESSONS LEARNED: Early experience indicates wide spread interest in incorporating HCV and other viral hepatitis prevention and management into existing STD/HIV prevention programs. The ultimate goal of greater integration of viral hepatitis, STD and HIV prevention is likely to take time to achieve.

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National HIV Prevention Conference, 1999. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, August 29- September 1, 1999.

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