Using mass media and the Internet as tools to diagnose hepatitis C infections in the general population

F.R. Zuure; U. Davidovich; R.A. Coutinho; G.J. Kok; C.J.P.A. Hoebe; A. van den Hoek; P.L.M. Jansen; P. Leeuwen-Gilbert; N.C. Verheuvel; C.J. Weegink; M. Prins

doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2010.11.019

Using mass media and the Internet as tools to diagnose hepatitis C infections in the general population

F.R. Zuure^*, U. Davidovich, R.A. Coutinho, G.J. Kok, C.J.P.A. Hoebe, A. van den Hoek, P.L.M. Jansen, P. Leeuwen-Gilbert, N.C. Verheuvel, C.J. Weegink, M. Prins

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

Background: Many individuals with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are undiagnosed.

Purpose: This study describes the development and the use and outcomes of a mass media campaign, combined with an Internet risk assessment and an Internet-mediated blood-testing procedure for HCV to identify individuals infected with HCV in the general population.

Methods: From April 2007 to December 2008, individuals in HCV risk groups were referred to an online, previously validated risk-assessment questionnaire at www.heptest.nl. Individuals at risk could download a referral letter for a free, anonymous HCV blood test in a nonclinical setting. Test results could be obtained online, 1 week later, using a personal log-in code. Anti-HCV-positive participants were requested to visit the Public Health Service for confirmation and RNA testing. Chronically HCV-infected individuals were referred for treatment. Data were analyzed in 2009-2010.

Results: The website attracted 40,902 visitors. Of the 9653 who completed the questionnaire, 2553 were at risk for HCV (26.4%). Main reported risk factors were a blood transfusion prior to 1992 and noninjecting drug use. Of the 1480 eligible for the blood test, 420 opted for testing (28%). HCV antibodies were detected in 3.6% (n = 15, 95% CI = 2.1%, 5.7%); of the 12 with a chronic HCV infection, six began treatment.

Conclusions: Internet-mediated risk-based testing for HCV has proved to be a feasible and effective strategy to identify undiagnosed HCV infection in the general population. All HCV-infected individuals belonged to hard-to-reach populations. Test uptake was 28%, which is high for an online project that includes blood testing. Because Internet-mediated testing is low-cost, this strategy holds promise for future screening. (Am J Prev Med 2011;40(3):345-352) (C) 2011 American Journal of Preventive Medicine

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	345-352
Number of pages	8
Journal	American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Volume	40
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2010.11.019
Publication status	Published - Mar 2011

Keywords

COST-EFFECTIVENESS
VIRUS-INFECTION
LOOKBACK PROGRAM
HCV INFECTION
UNITED-STATES
RISK-FACTORS
FUTURE
NETHERLANDS
HEMOPHILIA
PREVALENCE

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Cite this

Zuure, F. R., Davidovich, U., Coutinho, R. A., Kok, G. J., Hoebe, C. J. P. A., van den Hoek, A., Jansen, P. L. M., Leeuwen-Gilbert, P., Verheuvel, N. C., Weegink, C. J., & Prins, M. (2011). Using mass media and the Internet as tools to diagnose hepatitis C infections in the general population. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 40(3), 345-352. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2010.11.019

@article{050f12753225420b9bea23d5dc220a60,

title = "Using mass media and the Internet as tools to diagnose hepatitis C infections in the general population",

abstract = "Background: Many individuals with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are undiagnosed.Purpose: This study describes the development and the use and outcomes of a mass media campaign, combined with an Internet risk assessment and an Internet-mediated blood-testing procedure for HCV to identify individuals infected with HCV in the general population.Methods: From April 2007 to December 2008, individuals in HCV risk groups were referred to an online, previously validated risk-assessment questionnaire at www.heptest.nl. Individuals at risk could download a referral letter for a free, anonymous HCV blood test in a nonclinical setting. Test results could be obtained online, 1 week later, using a personal log-in code. Anti-HCV-positive participants were requested to visit the Public Health Service for confirmation and RNA testing. Chronically HCV-infected individuals were referred for treatment. Data were analyzed in 2009-2010.Results: The website attracted 40,902 visitors. Of the 9653 who completed the questionnaire, 2553 were at risk for HCV (26.4%). Main reported risk factors were a blood transfusion prior to 1992 and noninjecting drug use. Of the 1480 eligible for the blood test, 420 opted for testing (28%). HCV antibodies were detected in 3.6% (n = 15, 95% CI = 2.1%, 5.7%); of the 12 with a chronic HCV infection, six began treatment.Conclusions: Internet-mediated risk-based testing for HCV has proved to be a feasible and effective strategy to identify undiagnosed HCV infection in the general population. All HCV-infected individuals belonged to hard-to-reach populations. Test uptake was 28%, which is high for an online project that includes blood testing. Because Internet-mediated testing is low-cost, this strategy holds promise for future screening. (Am J Prev Med 2011;40(3):345-352) (C) 2011 American Journal of Preventive Medicine",

keywords = "COST-EFFECTIVENESS, VIRUS-INFECTION, LOOKBACK PROGRAM, HCV INFECTION, UNITED-STATES, RISK-FACTORS, FUTURE, NETHERLANDS, HEMOPHILIA, PREVALENCE",

author = "F.R. Zuure and U. Davidovich and R.A. Coutinho and G.J. Kok and C.J.P.A. Hoebe and {van den Hoek}, A. and P.L.M. Jansen and P. Leeuwen-Gilbert and N.C. Verheuvel and C.J. Weegink and M. Prins",

year = "2011",

month = mar,

doi = "10.1016/j.amepre.2010.11.019",

language = "English",

volume = "40",

pages = "345--352",

journal = "American Journal of Preventive Medicine",

issn = "0749-3797",

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Zuure, FR, Davidovich, U, Coutinho, RA, Kok, GJ , Hoebe, CJPA, van den Hoek, A, Jansen, PLM, Leeuwen-Gilbert, P, Verheuvel, NC, Weegink, CJ & Prins, M 2011, 'Using mass media and the Internet as tools to diagnose hepatitis C infections in the general population', American Journal of Preventive Medicine, vol. 40, no. 3, pp. 345-352. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2010.11.019

TY - JOUR

T1 - Using mass media and the Internet as tools to diagnose hepatitis C infections in the general population

AU - Zuure, F.R.

AU - Davidovich, U.

AU - Coutinho, R.A.

AU - Kok, G.J.

AU - Hoebe, C.J.P.A.

AU - van den Hoek, A.

AU - Jansen, P.L.M.

AU - Leeuwen-Gilbert, P.

AU - Verheuvel, N.C.

AU - Weegink, C.J.

AU - Prins, M.

PY - 2011/3

Y1 - 2011/3

N2 - Background: Many individuals with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are undiagnosed.Purpose: This study describes the development and the use and outcomes of a mass media campaign, combined with an Internet risk assessment and an Internet-mediated blood-testing procedure for HCV to identify individuals infected with HCV in the general population.Methods: From April 2007 to December 2008, individuals in HCV risk groups were referred to an online, previously validated risk-assessment questionnaire at www.heptest.nl. Individuals at risk could download a referral letter for a free, anonymous HCV blood test in a nonclinical setting. Test results could be obtained online, 1 week later, using a personal log-in code. Anti-HCV-positive participants were requested to visit the Public Health Service for confirmation and RNA testing. Chronically HCV-infected individuals were referred for treatment. Data were analyzed in 2009-2010.Results: The website attracted 40,902 visitors. Of the 9653 who completed the questionnaire, 2553 were at risk for HCV (26.4%). Main reported risk factors were a blood transfusion prior to 1992 and noninjecting drug use. Of the 1480 eligible for the blood test, 420 opted for testing (28%). HCV antibodies were detected in 3.6% (n = 15, 95% CI = 2.1%, 5.7%); of the 12 with a chronic HCV infection, six began treatment.Conclusions: Internet-mediated risk-based testing for HCV has proved to be a feasible and effective strategy to identify undiagnosed HCV infection in the general population. All HCV-infected individuals belonged to hard-to-reach populations. Test uptake was 28%, which is high for an online project that includes blood testing. Because Internet-mediated testing is low-cost, this strategy holds promise for future screening. (Am J Prev Med 2011;40(3):345-352) (C) 2011 American Journal of Preventive Medicine

AB - Background: Many individuals with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are undiagnosed.Purpose: This study describes the development and the use and outcomes of a mass media campaign, combined with an Internet risk assessment and an Internet-mediated blood-testing procedure for HCV to identify individuals infected with HCV in the general population.Methods: From April 2007 to December 2008, individuals in HCV risk groups were referred to an online, previously validated risk-assessment questionnaire at www.heptest.nl. Individuals at risk could download a referral letter for a free, anonymous HCV blood test in a nonclinical setting. Test results could be obtained online, 1 week later, using a personal log-in code. Anti-HCV-positive participants were requested to visit the Public Health Service for confirmation and RNA testing. Chronically HCV-infected individuals were referred for treatment. Data were analyzed in 2009-2010.Results: The website attracted 40,902 visitors. Of the 9653 who completed the questionnaire, 2553 were at risk for HCV (26.4%). Main reported risk factors were a blood transfusion prior to 1992 and noninjecting drug use. Of the 1480 eligible for the blood test, 420 opted for testing (28%). HCV antibodies were detected in 3.6% (n = 15, 95% CI = 2.1%, 5.7%); of the 12 with a chronic HCV infection, six began treatment.Conclusions: Internet-mediated risk-based testing for HCV has proved to be a feasible and effective strategy to identify undiagnosed HCV infection in the general population. All HCV-infected individuals belonged to hard-to-reach populations. Test uptake was 28%, which is high for an online project that includes blood testing. Because Internet-mediated testing is low-cost, this strategy holds promise for future screening. (Am J Prev Med 2011;40(3):345-352) (C) 2011 American Journal of Preventive Medicine

KW - COST-EFFECTIVENESS

KW - VIRUS-INFECTION

KW - LOOKBACK PROGRAM

KW - HCV INFECTION

KW - UNITED-STATES

KW - RISK-FACTORS

KW - FUTURE

KW - NETHERLANDS

KW - HEMOPHILIA

KW - PREVALENCE

U2 - 10.1016/j.amepre.2010.11.019

DO - 10.1016/j.amepre.2010.11.019

M3 - Article

C2 - 21335268

SN - 0749-3797

VL - 40

SP - 345

EP - 352

JO - American Journal of Preventive Medicine

JF - American Journal of Preventive Medicine

IS - 3

ER -