1 / 15

Working with SEPs: How do we expand Hepatitis Services ?

Working with SEPs: How do we expand Hepatitis Services ?. Narelle Ellendon, RN HCV Director Harm Reduction Coalition, NYC ellendon@harmreduction.org www.harmreduction.org. Why work with SEPs?. Prevent the spread of any blood-borne infections, including HIV and Hep C

panthea
Download Presentation

Working with SEPs: How do we expand Hepatitis Services ?

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Working with SEPs: How do we expand Hepatitis Services? Narelle Ellendon, RN HCV Director Harm Reduction Coalition, NYC ellendon@harmreduction.org www.harmreduction.org

  2. Why work with SEPs? • Prevent the spread of any blood-borne infections, including HIV and Hep C • Make and maintain contact with active injectors outside of the health care system • Varied delivery, size, nature, populations, etc, etc, etc…

  3. Why SEPs ??? • It’s not just the Syringes, it’s not just the SEP. • Bridge to treatment and other services - HIV testing & counseling - Medical & Mental health services - Case Management - Housing - Food programs - Support groups

  4. SEP Participants • Many IDUs not using SEPs • More then half acquire syringes from potential unsterile source • Nearly half report “sharing” syringes and other equipment • Generally participants of SEPs have been injecting for some time • Large number of IDUs already infected with HCV

  5. HCV Prevention Attitudes • HCV infection is INEVITABLE • HCV infection is INCONSEQUENTIAL • HCV infection is INDETERMINATE

  6. Limitations of SEPs to address HCV? • Lack of expertise & training • Competing Priorities • Lack of referral options for DU’s • Funding Limitations • Regulations on syringe provision • Police Harassment • Federal ban

  7. Where to begin…… • Assessment: - Participant - Staff - Program Evaluation not just for Data. Process of assessment needs to provide Education & Interventions.

  8. Adding Hep C….One size does NOT fit all… • Tailoring Program Strategic Plan to the SEP. • HCV Networking, (Motivation & Position) • Tailored Training, (SEP Staff, Other services) • Peer Education • Manuals & Curriculum • Materials

  9. Awareness…

  10. Adding Hep C…. • Build on existing assessment tools • HCV Screening & Hep A/B Vaccs services • Linkages to care & treatment

  11. Advocacy • Local & National forums to bring the focus on Hepatitis C & Drug • Coaching/Mentoring internal program advocacy • Community focus, African Americans & HCV • Pharmaceutical companies • Funding

  12. IDUs more likely to not be infected with HIV or HCV if….. • Avoid situations that threaten safe injection: - withdrawal period - lack of syringes - high-risk contexts - institutionalization • Match equipment supply with drug supply • Maintain connection with community

  13. Opportunities…. • Validate & Share IDUs strategies to avoid HCV Infection. • Change syringe quotas • Tap into Social Networks, Peer Secondary Exchange • Police/Community Education • Address stigma of Drug Users using other services • Federal Ban on $ for SEP • Safer Injecting Facilities

More Related