Behavior and major barriers faced by non-injectable drug users with HBV/HCV seeking treatment for hepatitis and drug addiction in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil / Comportamentos e barreiras relacionados à busca ao tratamento para a hepatite e dependência química entre usuários de drogas não injetáveis com hepatite crônica do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Drug users (DU) are a marginalized group and at risk for viral hepatitis, who seldom access health services. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 111 DU with chronic HBV/HCV and 15 in-depth interviews with health professionals/policymakers in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Most interviewees were male, non-white, with a low educational background, unemployed and/or living on less than $245 a month (minimun wage). In the last 6 months, 61.8 percent of interviewees snorted cocaine, 64.7 percent at least once a week. Half of the interviewees had a stable partner and 38.3 percent of those with occasional partners never/almost never using condoms. Addiction treatment seeking was found to be associated with: being white (OR:5.5), high-school degree (OR:8.7), and employment (OR:5.7). Hepatitis treatment seeking was high (80.9 percent), and access to low-threshold, user-friendly health services was key for treatment seeking behaviors (OR:3.6). Missed opportunities for hepatitis treatment seem to be associated with structural (uneven political/financial support to hepatitis programs) and patient-related barriers (severe addiction and non-adherence). Those most in need were less likely to access treatment, calling for renewed strategies, in order to curb hepatitis among impoverished drug users and their sexual partners.

Usuários de drogas (UD) são uma população marginalizada e sob risco para hepatites virais que raramente acessam tratamento. Foi utilizado inquérito com 110 UD com Hepatite crônica e 15 entrevistas em profundidade com profissionais e gestores de saúde. A maioria dos entrevistados é homem, não branco, com baixa escolaridade, desempregado e com renda < salário mínimo. Nos últimos 6 meses, 61,8 por cento usaram cocaína inalada e 64,7 por cento uma vez por semana ou mais. Dos participantes, 50 por cento tiveram relações sexuais com parceiros estáveis e 38,3 por cento com parceiros ocasionais nunca/quase nunca usando preservativos. Preditores de busca por tratamento para dependência química incluem: raça/cor branca (OR:5.5), ter ensino médio (OR:8.7) e estar empregado (OR:5.7). 80,9 por cento dos participantes buscou tratamento para hepatite, o acesso a serviços mais acolhedores é determinante para esse comportamento (OR:3.6). Oportunidades perdidas para tratamento de hepatite estão associadas a barreiras estruturais (inadequado apoio político/financeiro aos programas) e barreiras individuais (dependência química severa e baixa aderência). Aqueles que mais precisam de tratamento possuem menor chance de obtê-lo, salientando a importância de renovar estratégias para responder à epidemia de hepatite entre usuários de drogas empobrecidos e seus parceiros sexuais.

Behavior and major barriers faced by non-injectable drug users with HBV/HCV seeking treatment for hepatitis and drug addiction in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Drug users (DU) are a marginalized group and at risk for viral hepatitis, who seldom access health services. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 111 DU with chronic HBV/HCV and 15 in-depth interviews with health professionals/policymakers in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Most interviewees were male, non-white, with a low educational background, unemployed and/or living on less than $245 a month (minimun wage). In the last 6 months, 61.8% of interviewees snorted cocaine, 64.7% at least once a week. Half of the interviewees had a stable partner and 38.3% of those with occasional partners never/almost never using condoms. Addiction treatment seeking was found to be associated with: being white (OR:5.5), high-school degree (OR:8.7), and employment (OR:5.7). Hepatitis treatment seeking was high (80.9%), and access to low-threshold, user-friendly health services was key for treatment seeking behaviors (OR:3.6). Missed opportunities for hepatitis treatment seem to be associated with structural (uneven political/financial support to hepatitis programs) and patient-related barriers (severe addiction and non-adherence). Those most in need were less likely to access treatment, calling for renewed strategies, in order to curb hepatitis among impoverished drug users and their sexual partners.

Supporting adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy and protected sex among people living with HIV/AIDS: the role of patient-provider communication in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

This exploratory study examined patient-provider communication dynamics regarding adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and protective sexual behavior among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). We conducted 20 direct observations of routine consultations between PLWHA and care providers in two large public health clinics providing free HIV medications and clinical care to PLWHA in the greater Rio de Janeiro area of Brazil. Immediately after these observations, 20 semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted with observation participants regarding their communication with providers, overall clinic experience, and questions and concerns about adherence to HAART and safe sex. Findings from observations showed that patient-provider communication focused almost exclusively on biomedical aspects of HIV-related treatment such as symptom management. In most observations, adherence to HAART was addressed. However, questions posed by providers regarding adherence were generally close-ended and leading, discouraging an open exchange regarding potential difficulties related to adherence. HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI)- related protective behaviors were seldom addressed except when the patient displayed STI symptoms or was thought to be pregnant. In qualitative interviews, patients generally reported satisfaction with their providers, but also reported a variety of concerns and challenges related to adherence to HAART and protective sexual behavior that were not expressed in patient-provider interactions. We conclude that one way in which adherence to HAART and protective sexual behavior among PLWHA could be facilitated is by improving patient- provider communication on these topics, including increasing the frequency of openended, nonjudgmental dialogue initiated by care providers.