Human and Social Development
Health

General public, Pregnant women, Drugs addicted, Health services employees, physicians

Evidence of the importance of prevention of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infections is given by rising epidemic indicators of newly discovered HCV infections and by an increasing number of infected asking for treatment. It is estimated that up to 700’000 persons are infected in Poland. However, the majority (up to 90%) of these people are not aware of their infection. Furthermore, although blood-borne transmission ways in medical settings account for as much as 80% of all new infections, medical personnel is not sufficiently aware of the needs and the measures necessary to prevent HCV infections.

The goal of the project is to create the basis of the first National Strategy on HCV Prevention (2015-2020). The coverage of the Programme is nationwide. However, special attention will be given to the poorer voivodeships (Malopolskie, Swietokrzyskie, Podkarpackie, Lubelskie).
The specific objectives are: (i): diagnosis of the current epidemiological HCV infection rate; (ii): development and implementation of HCV prevention programme for injecting drug users (IDUs); (iii): preliminary routine HCV testing of pregnant women; (iv): Evaluation of transmission routes and awareness raising of medical personnel in particular, and the public in general; (v): prevention of the blood-borne infections such as HBV, HIV as well

(i): Training of physicians; individual testing of patients (decentralized), laboratory analysis (centralized); (ii): Assessment of HCV prevalence in IDUs in 10-12 localities (1200 people); participatory development of a model HCV Prevention Programme; (iii): Implementation of model programme in 4 localities (400 people); 4 control localities (400 people); (iv): Testing of 8’000 pregnant women in 5 Voivodeships; (v): Analysis of HCV transmission routes in health facilities; (vi): Trainings for 2’000 medical managers, 5’000 health workers and 500 physicians organised

The expected results are:

• At least 25’000 persons tested for HCV (of which at least 8’000 pregnant women), with 500 expected positive cases referred for further care 
• Pilot prevention project for IDUs implemented in 4 localities, including at least 400 persons
• Educational film on transmission routes produced
• Experimental studies carried out in 10 health care facilities
• 7’000 health workers and 500 physicians trained
• Public information campaign conducted in 11 Voivodeships