National Prisons Hepatitis Education Project: Research Evaluation

Launched by KIRBY INSTITUTE · Jul 11, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The National Prisons Hepatitis Education Project, also known as the HepPEd Program, is a study aimed at improving knowledge about hepatitis C (HCV) in Australian prisons. This program provides education about HCV to healthcare providers, correctional officers, and inmates to increase testing and treatment rates for this virus. The research will measure how well the program works by looking at changes in awareness and understanding of HCV among those involved, as well as how many people get tested and treated for the virus.

To participate in this study, healthcare providers, correctional officers, and inmates must be at certain participating prisons that have a good size population and an existing hepatitis testing and treatment service. Inmates who want to take part must be over 18, able to understand the survey questions, and willing to give consent. Those who are chosen will take part in educational activities and may also be involved in surveys to share their experiences. This study is really important as it could help improve health outcomes for people in prison and better equip staff to handle hepatitis C.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• • All healthcare providers, correctional officers, and people in prison at the participating prison sites are anticipated to be exposed to the various HepPEd Program resources during the 3 month education intervention phase.
• Participating prison sites must meet the following inclusion criteria to be eligible to participate in the study. Participating prison sites must have:
• • a prisoner population of 400-600 inmates (assumed mean 500); and
• • an existing prison-based hepatitis service undertaking both HCV testing and treatment.
• Prisoners must meet the following inclusion criteria to be eligible to participate as peer educators. Prisoners must:
• • be currently incarcerated in a participating correctional centre;
• • anticipate being in the participating correctional centre for \>12 months;
• • be considered as capable and willing, and well-respected amongst their peers; and
• • have approval from custodial authorities to participate as a peer educator.
• Correctional officers must meet the following inclusion criteria to be eligible to participate as peer champions. Correctional officers must:
• • be currently working in a participating correctional centre; and
• • be considered as capable and willing, and well-respected amongst their peers.
• Prisoners must meet the following inclusion criteria to be eligible to participate in the interview-style survey and dried blood spot (DBS) testing component:
• • 1. be over the age of 18 years;
• • 2. be currently incarcerated in a participating correctional centre;
• • 3. have sufficient English comprehension skills to understand the survey questions; and
• • 4. be willing and able to provide written informed consent.
• Healthcare providers and correctional officers must meet the following inclusion criteria to be eligible to participate in the survey component:
• • 1) be currently working in a participating correctional centre.