A welcome haven in WA for people with hepatitis C Too many people are experiencing stigma or discrimination because they are living with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Many don’t understand the virus or the threats it poses. People feel uncomfortable talking freely about it.
According to Hepatitis Australia, approximately 230,000 Australians live with chronic HCV. It is estimated that 15 per cent of those people have not yet been diagnosed. Left untreated, HCV can lead to liver cancer and liver failure. HCV testing and treatment is crucial to stopping the spread of the virus. “The NSP is a perfect place to engage with a population who is the most affected by HCV,” says Hepatitis WA’s Steve Fragomeni. “In lots of ways NSP clientele are a captive audience. If you are genuine and inclusive, clients are usually happy to hear about ways to improve their health. The NSP might be one of the only health services they access where they actually feel welcome.” Steve says it is important NSP workers understand how years of negative stigma may influence the decision of a client whether to seek testing and treatment.
“Some patients are not in the right position, or are just not ready, to deal with the process of getting onto treatments,” he says. “Some have lived with the virus for so many years it has become part of their identity. Most of their peers are the same, so it becomes a community. They have witnessed the old days of the harsher Interferon-based treatments and have consciously decided not to pursue newer treatments. They feel unfairly judged and will avoid health services because of this.” Former drug user Sam*, 56, decided to finally undergo HCV treatment about four months ago. He was diagnosed over eight years ago, contracting the virus via needle sharing. “I went to the doctors and they gave me a blood test. They told me I had hep C. I didn’t really care about (the virus) at that time because I was on drugs,” he says. Sam says he knows lots of other people living with HCV – mostly other people who use drugs – who aren’t
Photo: Direct acting antiviral medication
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