Attitudes toward pharmacy-based HCV/HIV testing among people who use drugs in rural Kentucky

Michelle Duong, Chris Delcher, Patricia R. Freeman, April M. Young, Hannah L.F. Cooper

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: Rural areas of the United States have experienced outbreaks of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among people who use drugs (PWUD). Pharmacy-based interventions may play a crucial role in prevention and entry into care, especially when traditional health care access is limited. The willingness of rural PWUD to use pharmacies for HIV/HCV-related services remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to describe the factors associated with the perceived likelihood of participating in free pharmacy-based HIV and HCV testing among PWUD living in rural Kentucky. Methods: Baseline data from the CARE2HOPE study in five Appalachian counties in eastern Kentucky were used. Participants were recruited using respondent-driven sampling and completed interviewer-administered surveys. Guided by the Andersen and Newman Framework of Health Services Utilization, we examined distributions and correlates of items regarding willingness to participate in free pharmacy-based HIV/HCV testing using logistic regression. Analyses included individuals who reported being HIV (N = 304) or HCV (N = 185) negative. Findings: Seventy-five percent of PWUD reported being “very likely” to participate in free pharmacy-based HIV testing and 80% for HCV testing. Two factors were associated with being less willing to participate in free HIV testing: PWUD who previously tested for HIV (OR: 0.47, CI: 0.25–0.88) and PWUD who obtained a high school diploma or equivalent compared to those who completed less (OR: 0.50, CI: 0.26–0.99). Conclusion: Free pharmacy-based HIV and HCV testing was invariably acceptable among most of the rural PWUD in our sample, suggesting that pharmacies might be acceptable testing venues for this population.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)93-99
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Rural Health
Volume38
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2022

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 National Rural Health Association

Funding

FundersFunder number
National Institute on Drug AbuseUH3DA044798

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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