Success Metrics for Hepatitis C Elimination Among People Who Inject Drugs: A Scoping Review of Indicators in Harm Reduction

David S. Kremer (), Pauline Elizabeth Gatmaytan, Michelle Amanda Rübel, Antoine Flahault and Jennifer Hasselgard-Rowe
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David S. Kremer: Global Studies Institute, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
Pauline Elizabeth Gatmaytan: Global Studies Institute, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
Michelle Amanda Rübel: Global Studies Institute, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
Antoine Flahault: Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Global Health, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
Jennifer Hasselgard-Rowe: Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Global Health, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 7, 1-12

Abstract: This study aimed to identify and synthesize the success metrics used to assess hepatitis C elimination among people who inject drugs (PWID) through harm reduction strategies. A scoping review was performed by searching across three databases to identify systematic reviews that discussed hepatitis C in PWID within the context of harm reduction. The studies were then analyzed for success metrics used to describe hepatitis C in PWID. The indicators used were prevalence, incidence, screening, treatment uptake, treatment completion, and sustained virologic response. A total of fourteen systematic reviews were included. The most frequently reported indicators were prevalence and incidence, addressed in eight/seven systematic reviews, respectively. In contrast, screening, treatment uptake, and treatment completion were less commonly reported, with only two reviews addressing screening and treatment uptake, and a single review reporting treatment completion. Similarly, sustained virologic response (SVR) was reported in only two systematic reviews. Seven additional indicators were reported. Prevalence and incidence are the dominantly used HCV indicators, while others are often neglected. Inconsistencies in measurements and reporting can be found for all indicators. This study reports a gap regarding indicators beyond prevalence and incidence, inconsistent measurement approaches, and a lack of standardized frameworks.

Keywords: harm reduction; People Who Inject Drugs (PWID); Hepatitis C Virus (HCV); scoping review; hepatitis C indicators; hepatitis C elimination (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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