Project aims
In the UK, initiatives to increase HCV testing in prison has included opt-out testing on entry to prison since 2014. However, the proportion of new inmates that get tested through this strategy is sub-optimal. To improve on this, High Intensity Test and Treat (HITT) programmes have also been done in many prisons over the last few years. The HITT programme seeks to eliminate hepatitis C in prisons through testing all prisoners within a prison over a few days and treating everyone who is diagnosed.
However, there may be situations where HITTs are not needed or cost-effective if the HCV prevalence is low or there is sufficient coverage of testing on entry. There is also uncertainty over the frequency with which HITTs need to be undertaken, and what strategy should be used to maintain low levels of HCV prevalence once HCV elimination targets have been met.
England’s national Hepatitis C model will be used to assess how effective and cost-efficient current and future HITT programs in prisons are. It will help decide when HITTs are worth the investment, based on how common HCV is in prisons and how much people are tested on entry. The model will also identify the best testing and treatment initiatives to keep HCV elimination on track.
What we hope to achieve:
England’s national Hepatitis C model will be used to assess how effective and cost-efficient current and future HITT programs in prisons are. It will help decide when HITTs are worth the investment, based on how common HCV is in prisons and how much people are tested on entry. The model will also identify the best testing and treatment initiatives to keep HCV elimination on track.
Once the model is complete, we plan to share the results with UKHSA and other key stakeholders and prepare a paper for publication.
Lead researchers
- Professor Peter Vickerman
- Dr Jack Stone
- Kennedy Kipkoech
- Zoe Ward
Partners
- UK Health Security Agency
