Evidence of the importance of prevention of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infections is given by rising epidemic indicators of newly discovered HCV infections and by an increasing number of infected asking for treatment. It is estimated that up to 700’000 persons
are infected in Poland. However, the majority (up to 90%) of these people are not aware of their infection. Furthermore, although blood-borne transmission ways in medical settings account for as much as 80% of all new infections, medical personnel is not sufficiently aware of the needs and the measures necessary to prevent HCV infections.

The goal of the project is to create the basis of the first National Strategy on HCV Prevention (2015-2020). The coverage of the Programme is nationwide. However, special attention will be
given to the poorer voivodeships (Malopolskie, Swietokrzyskie, Podkarpackie, Lubelskie).
The specific objectives are:

• Diagnosis of the current epidemiological HCV infection rate
  development and implementation of HCV prevention programme for injecting drug users (IDUs)
  
• Preliminary routine HCV testing of pregnant women
  
• Evaluation of transmission routes and awareness raising of medical personnel in particular, and the public in general
  
• Prevention of the blood-borne infections such as HBV, HIV as well

General public, Pregnant women, Drugs addicted, Health services employees, physicians

(i): Training of physicians; individual testing of patients (decentralized), laboratory analysis (centralized); (ii): Assessment of HCV prevalence in IDUs in 10-12 localities (1200 people); participatory development of a model HCV Prevention Programme; (iii): Implementation of model programme in 4 localities (400 people); 4 control localities (400 people); (iv): Testing of 8’000 pregnant women in 5 Voivodeships; (v): Analysis of HCV transmission routes in health facilities; (vi): Trainings for 2’000 medical managers, 5’000 health workers and 500 physicians organised

Erreichte Resultate:  

• Substantial evidence-based data in medical and dental settings is generated and will be compiled in the HCV National Strategy allowing for identification of priority and well targeted actions to prevent HCV transmission and other blood born infections.
• HCV diagnosis in target groups increased with 85% of persons in the programme's target groups interested in testing fo HCV (target value is 33%).
• 92% persons wit newly dianosed HCV infections referred to further care (target value is 80%)
• 34'036 persons tested for HCV (target value 33’628)
  
• 133 medical entities offering HCV testing (target value: 80)
• 7'408 persons of medical and non-medical professions trained on HCV prevention (target value: 6'860).
• 1'580 questionnaires in health care institutions gathered to evaluate the risk of HCV infection associated with medical procedures (target value achieved). The results of the study conducted in 3 voivodships of Eastern Poland are assessed as representative for the situation at the national level.
• 1'460'101 programme  project website hits
  

Phase 1 01.07.2011 - 31.03.2017   (Completed)