People from diverse communities are urged to support a new national research project on hepatitis C treatment. In the era of hepatitis C elimination, not enough is known about the experiences of hepatitis C, its treatment and health experiences post-treatment.
Entitled ‘Lived experiences of treatment for hepatitis C in Australia’, the project investigates challenges to hepatitis C treatment uptake, including stigma and ways of improving treatment experiences. This Australian Research Council-funded project will produce a website on personal experiences of hepatitis C that speaks directly to potential treatment users and their friends and families, while also informing health workers and other relevant professionals about the new treatments and the issues surrounding them.
The project aims to interview people undergoing hepatitis C treatment and collect in-depth understanding of their experiences of hepatitis C, treatment and related issues. People with past or present experiences with hepatitis C are encouraged to participate. The team are currently seeking to interview people living in Victoria and New South Wales who:
- Were diagnosed with hepatitis C after a medical procedure.
- Have had multiple hepatitis C diagnoses, for example, acquiring hepatitis C again after previously curing it.
- Contracted hepatitis C overseas.
Participation involves an audio-recorded one-hour interview with a trained university researcher.
All participants are reimbursed $50 for their time and contribution to the research.
Multicultural HIV and Hepatitis Service of Sydney Local Health District is assisting the Research advisory panel to develop materials needed to conduct interviews and, later the website.
If you would like to share your hepatitis C treatment experience, please contact:
Dr Adrian Farrugia
Phone: 0492 150 050
Email:
02 9515 1234
Level 1, 300 Bridge Road,