The Experts below are selected from a list of 7518 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Nicholas Lintzeris - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Quantifying hepatitis C transmission risk using a new weighted scoring system for the Blood-Borne Virus Transmission Risk Assessment Questionnaire (BBV-TRAQ): Applications for community-based HCV surveillance, education and prevention
Harm reduction journal, 2008Co-Authors: Mark Stoové, Craig Lindsay Fry, Nicholas LintzerisAbstract:Background The hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a major cause of drug-related morbidity and mortality, with incidence data implicating a wide range of HCV transmission risk practices. The Blood-Borne Virus Transmission Risk Assessment Questionnaire (BBV-TRAQ) is a content valid instrument that comprehensively assesses HCV risk practices. This study examines the properties of a new weighted BBV-TRAQ designed to quantify HCV transmission risk among injecting drug users (IDU).
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the acceptability and feasibility of peer worker support role in community based hcv treatment for injecting drug users
Harm Reduction Journal, 2008Co-Authors: Josephine Sarah Norman, Nicholas Lintzeris, Mark Stoové, Nicholas Matthew Walsh, Janette Mugavin, Jenny Kelsall, Kirk AustinAbstract:Hepatitis C is the most common Blood Borne Virus in Australia affecting over 200 000 people. Effective treatment for hepatitis C has only become accessible in Australia since the late 1990's, although active injecting drug use (IDU) remained an exclusion criteria for government-funded treatment until 2001. Treatment uptake has been slow, particularly among injecting drug users, the largest affected group. We developed a peer-based integrated model of hepatitis C care at a community drug and alcohol clinic. Clients interested and eligible for hepatitis C treatment had their substance use, mental health and other psychosocial comorbidities co-managed onsite at the clinic prior to and during treatment. In a qualitative preliminary evaluation of the project, nine current patients of the clinic were interviewed, as was the clinic peer worker. A high level of patient acceptability of the peer-based model and an endorsement the integrated model of care was found. This paper describes the acceptability of a peer-based integrated model of hepatitis C care by the clients using the service.
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psychometric properties of the Blood Borne Virus transmission risk assessment questionnaire bbv traq
Addiction, 2003Co-Authors: Craig Lindsay Fry, Nicholas LintzerisAbstract:Aims To develop a standard measure of Blood-Borne Virus transmission risk behaviour, and examine the underlying psychometric properties. Design The Blood-Borne Virus Transmission Risk Assessment Questionnaire (BBV-TRAQ) was developed over three consecutive phases of the original BBV-TRAQ study in adherence to classical scale development procedures, culminating in the recruitment of a development sample of current injecting drug users via convenience and snowball sampling. Setting Needle and syringe programmes (NSPs), medical clinics, alcohol/drug agencies, peer-based and outreach organizations across inner and outer metropolitan Melbourne. Participants Two hundred and nine current injecting drug users. The mean age was 27 years, 68% were male, 65% unemployed, 36% with prison history and 25% in methadone maintenance. Measurements BBV-TRAQ items cover specific injecting, sexual and skin penetration risk practices. BBV-TRAQ characteristics were assessed via measures of internal and test–retest reliability; collateral validation; and principal components analyses. Findings The BBV-TRAQ has satisfactory psychometric properties. Internal (a=0.87), test–retest (r=0.84) and inter-observer reliability results were high, suggesting that the instrument provides a reliable measure of BBV risk behaviour and is reliable over time and across interviewers. A principal components analysis with varimax rotation produced a parsimonious factor solution despite modest communality, and indicated that three factors (injecting, sex and skin penetration/hygiene risks) are required to describe BBV risk behaviour. Conclusions The BBV-TRAQ is reliable and represents the first risk assessment tool to incorporate sufficient coverage of injecting, sex and other skin penetration risk practices to be considered truly content valid. The questionnaire is indicated for use in addictions research, clinical, peer education and BBV risk behaviour surveillance settings.
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Psychometric properties of the Blood‐Borne Virus Transmission Risk Assessment Questionnaire (BBV‐TRAQ)
Addiction (Abingdon England), 2003Co-Authors: Craig Lindsay Fry, Nicholas LintzerisAbstract:Aims To develop a standard measure of Blood-Borne Virus transmission risk behaviour, and examine the underlying psychometric properties. Design The Blood-Borne Virus Transmission Risk Assessment Questionnaire (BBV-TRAQ) was developed over three consecutive phases of the original BBV-TRAQ study in adherence to classical scale development procedures, culminating in the recruitment of a development sample of current injecting drug users via convenience and snowball sampling. Setting Needle and syringe programmes (NSPs), medical clinics, alcohol/drug agencies, peer-based and outreach organizations across inner and outer metropolitan Melbourne. Participants Two hundred and nine current injecting drug users. The mean age was 27 years, 68% were male, 65% unemployed, 36% with prison history and 25% in methadone maintenance. Measurements BBV-TRAQ items cover specific injecting, sexual and skin penetration risk practices. BBV-TRAQ characteristics were assessed via measures of internal and test–retest reliability; collateral validation; and principal components analyses. Findings The BBV-TRAQ has satisfactory psychometric properties. Internal (a=0.87), test–retest (r=0.84) and inter-observer reliability results were high, suggesting that the instrument provides a reliable measure of BBV risk behaviour and is reliable over time and across interviewers. A principal components analysis with varimax rotation produced a parsimonious factor solution despite modest communality, and indicated that three factors (injecting, sex and skin penetration/hygiene risks) are required to describe BBV risk behaviour. Conclusions The BBV-TRAQ is reliable and represents the first risk assessment tool to incorporate sufficient coverage of injecting, sex and other skin penetration risk practices to be considered truly content valid. The questionnaire is indicated for use in addictions research, clinical, peer education and BBV risk behaviour surveillance settings.
Margaret Hellard - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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A nurse-led intervention improved Blood-Borne Virus testing and vaccination in Victorian prisons.
Australian and New Zealand journal of public health, 2016Co-Authors: Rebecca Winter, Mark Stoové, Bethany White, Stuart A. Kinner, Rebecca Guy, Margaret HellardAbstract:Objectives: Testing is the first step in treatment and care for Blood-Borne Viruses (BBVs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). As new treatments for viral hepatitis emerge, it is important to document effective models for BBV/STI testing. A nurse-led intervention was implemented across three prisons in Victoria to improve BBV/STI testing. We evaluated the impact of the intervention on BBV/STI testing rates and hepatitis B (HBV) vaccination for reception prisoners. Methods: BBV/STI testing and HBV vaccination data were collected from the medical files of 100 consecutive reception prisoners at three prisons (n=300) prior to and after the intervention was implemented. Results: BBV testing increased significantly from 21% of prisoners to 62% post-intervention. Testing for some STIs increased significantly, but remained low: 5% to 17% for chlamydia and 1% to 5% for gonorrhoea. HBV vaccination increased significantly from 2% to 19%. Conclusions: The nurse-led intervention resulted in substantially increased testing and vaccination, demonstrating the benefits of a concerted effort to improve BBV and STI management in correctional settings. Implications: The availability of new treatments for hepatitis C has precipitated expansion of treatment in prisons. Improving the testing rate of prisoners, the first step in the treatment cascade, will maximise the benefits.
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Risk behaviours and Blood Borne Virus exposure for transient workers in rural Victoria.
The Australian journal of rural health, 2008Co-Authors: Alisa Pedrana, Peter Higgs, Campbell Aitken, Margaret HellardAbstract:Objective: To investigate risk behaviours associated with the transmission of Blood Borne Viruses (BBVs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among transient rural workers in Victoria. Design: Cross-sectional study using a convenience sampling frame. Setting: Between June and August 2006, 89 participants were recruited from sites located in three rural centres in Victoria's Loddon and Mallee regions. Data were collected using a short questionnaire that asked about history of transient work, sexual history, condom use, alcohol and illicit drug use, and BBV history and testing. Finger-prick Blood samples were collected in order to determine prevalence of human immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and hepatitis C Virus (HCV) exposure. Results: Eighty-nine individuals completed a questionnaire, and 85 (96%) provided a finger-prick Blood sample for antibody testing. Twenty-seven participants (30%) were consuming alcohol at levels risky to health. Thirty per cent of participants with new partners reported infrequent condom use. Illicit drug use (mainly marijuana) was widespread with more than 46% of the sample reporting recent use of illicit drugs. An HCV exposure prevalence of 2.4% was measured; no samples tested reactive for HIV antibodies. Conclusions: Compared with nationally representative data, our study sample reported high rates of alcohol consumption at levels risky to health, illicit drug use and infrequent use of condoms. These results suggest that transient workers and their contacts would benefit from the targeted provision of harm-reduction services, with a particular focus on sexual behaviour and alcohol and drug use.
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Impact of an education campaign on management in pregnancy of women infected with a Blood‐Borne Virus
The Medical journal of Australia, 2006Co-Authors: Michelle L. Giles, Suzanne M. Garland, Sonia Grover, Sharon R Lewin, Margaret HellardAbstract:Objective To assess obstetricians' antenatal screening practice for Blood-Borne Viruses (HIV, hepatitis B and C Viruses [HBV and HCV]) and knowledge about management during labour and risk of transmission via breastfeeding for infected women after an educational intervention, Australia. Design Cohort study, with surveys before and after an educational intervention. Setting and participants Survey 1 was mailed in 2002-2003 to all 767 Fellows registered with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG), and Survey 2 was mailed in 2004 to the 743 of these Fellows who were still practising. Intervention Multifaceted intervention with mail-out of survey results and a summary of recommended management, publication of two review articles in the RANZCOG journal, and an oral presentation at the RANZCOG annual scientific meeting. Main outcome measures Self-reported frequency of antenatal screening for Blood-Borne Viruses, change in practice based on a woman's infection status, and advice given about risk of Virus transmission via breastfeeding in Survey 2, compared with Survey 1. Results Survey 2 (response rate, 68%) found increases from the previous survey in the proportion of respondents reporting they always offered antenatal screening for HIV, from 51% to 59%, and for HCV, from 60% to 69% (P = 0.001 for both). For women with HIV infection, the proportion of respondents always recommending elective caesarean section increased from 37% to 49% (P = 0.001) and always avoiding rupture of membranes increased from 33% to 49% (P Conclusion The frequency of antenatal testing for HIV and HCV is increasing in Australia. Knowledge about interventions to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV and knowledge of the risk of HBV and HCV transmission via breastfeeding improved after a relatively simple educational intervention.
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impact of an education campaign on management in pregnancy of women infected with a Blood Borne Virus
The Medical Journal of Australia, 2006Co-Authors: Michelle L. Giles, Suzanne M. Garland, Sonia Grover, Sharon R Lewin, Margaret HellardAbstract:Objective To assess obstetricians' antenatal screening practice for Blood-Borne Viruses (HIV, hepatitis B and C Viruses [HBV and HCV]) and knowledge about management during labour and risk of transmission via breastfeeding for infected women after an educational intervention, Australia. Design Cohort study, with surveys before and after an educational intervention. Setting and participants Survey 1 was mailed in 2002-2003 to all 767 Fellows registered with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG), and Survey 2 was mailed in 2004 to the 743 of these Fellows who were still practising. Intervention Multifaceted intervention with mail-out of survey results and a summary of recommended management, publication of two review articles in the RANZCOG journal, and an oral presentation at the RANZCOG annual scientific meeting. Main outcome measures Self-reported frequency of antenatal screening for Blood-Borne Viruses, change in practice based on a woman's infection status, and advice given about risk of Virus transmission via breastfeeding in Survey 2, compared with Survey 1. Results Survey 2 (response rate, 68%) found increases from the previous survey in the proportion of respondents reporting they always offered antenatal screening for HIV, from 51% to 59%, and for HCV, from 60% to 69% (P = 0.001 for both). For women with HIV infection, the proportion of respondents always recommending elective caesarean section increased from 37% to 49% (P = 0.001) and always avoiding rupture of membranes increased from 33% to 49% (P Conclusion The frequency of antenatal testing for HIV and HCV is increasing in Australia. Knowledge about interventions to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV and knowledge of the risk of HBV and HCV transmission via breastfeeding improved after a relatively simple educational intervention.
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An audit of obstetricians' management of women potentially infected with Blood-Borne Viruses
The Medical journal of Australia, 2004Co-Authors: Michelle L. Giles, Joe Sasadeusz, Suzanne M. Garland, Sonia Grover, Margaret HellardAbstract:Objective To assess obstetricians' current antenatal screening practices for Blood-Borne Viruses (hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV) and how they manage pregnant women infected with a Blood-Borne Virus. Design and participants National cross-sectional survey conducted between September 2002 and January 2003. All obstetricians (n = 767) registered with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) were mailed a questionnaire assessing their antenatal screening practices and knowledge of management of women potentially infected with a Blood-Borne Virus. Outcome measures Concordance of clinical practice with RANZCOG recommendations and current evidence-based guidelines. Results 523 obstetricians (68% response rate) completed the questionnaire. Fifty-one per cent of respondents said they would always offer HIV screening and 60% would always offer HCV screening. For HIV-infected women, 36% of obstetricians would always recommend elective caesarean section and 33% would always avoid rupture of membranes. Despite a lack of evidence, 34% of obstetricians advise patients that the risk of HBV transmission is increased with breastfeeding, and 47% give the same advice about HCV transmission. Conclusion There is some discordance between the RANZCOG antenatal screening recommendations for HCV and HIV and current practice. Knowledge about the management of HIV-infected women could be improved, and more obstetricians need to be aware that current evidence suggests there is no increased risk of transmission of HBV or HCV with breastfeeding.
Craig Lindsay Fry - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Quantifying hepatitis C transmission risk using a new weighted scoring system for the Blood-Borne Virus Transmission Risk Assessment Questionnaire (BBV-TRAQ): Applications for community-based HCV surveillance, education and prevention
Harm reduction journal, 2008Co-Authors: Mark Stoové, Craig Lindsay Fry, Nicholas LintzerisAbstract:Background The hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a major cause of drug-related morbidity and mortality, with incidence data implicating a wide range of HCV transmission risk practices. The Blood-Borne Virus Transmission Risk Assessment Questionnaire (BBV-TRAQ) is a content valid instrument that comprehensively assesses HCV risk practices. This study examines the properties of a new weighted BBV-TRAQ designed to quantify HCV transmission risk among injecting drug users (IDU).
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psychometric properties of the Blood Borne Virus transmission risk assessment questionnaire bbv traq
Addiction, 2003Co-Authors: Craig Lindsay Fry, Nicholas LintzerisAbstract:Aims To develop a standard measure of Blood-Borne Virus transmission risk behaviour, and examine the underlying psychometric properties. Design The Blood-Borne Virus Transmission Risk Assessment Questionnaire (BBV-TRAQ) was developed over three consecutive phases of the original BBV-TRAQ study in adherence to classical scale development procedures, culminating in the recruitment of a development sample of current injecting drug users via convenience and snowball sampling. Setting Needle and syringe programmes (NSPs), medical clinics, alcohol/drug agencies, peer-based and outreach organizations across inner and outer metropolitan Melbourne. Participants Two hundred and nine current injecting drug users. The mean age was 27 years, 68% were male, 65% unemployed, 36% with prison history and 25% in methadone maintenance. Measurements BBV-TRAQ items cover specific injecting, sexual and skin penetration risk practices. BBV-TRAQ characteristics were assessed via measures of internal and test–retest reliability; collateral validation; and principal components analyses. Findings The BBV-TRAQ has satisfactory psychometric properties. Internal (a=0.87), test–retest (r=0.84) and inter-observer reliability results were high, suggesting that the instrument provides a reliable measure of BBV risk behaviour and is reliable over time and across interviewers. A principal components analysis with varimax rotation produced a parsimonious factor solution despite modest communality, and indicated that three factors (injecting, sex and skin penetration/hygiene risks) are required to describe BBV risk behaviour. Conclusions The BBV-TRAQ is reliable and represents the first risk assessment tool to incorporate sufficient coverage of injecting, sex and other skin penetration risk practices to be considered truly content valid. The questionnaire is indicated for use in addictions research, clinical, peer education and BBV risk behaviour surveillance settings.
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Psychometric properties of the Blood‐Borne Virus Transmission Risk Assessment Questionnaire (BBV‐TRAQ)
Addiction (Abingdon England), 2003Co-Authors: Craig Lindsay Fry, Nicholas LintzerisAbstract:Aims To develop a standard measure of Blood-Borne Virus transmission risk behaviour, and examine the underlying psychometric properties. Design The Blood-Borne Virus Transmission Risk Assessment Questionnaire (BBV-TRAQ) was developed over three consecutive phases of the original BBV-TRAQ study in adherence to classical scale development procedures, culminating in the recruitment of a development sample of current injecting drug users via convenience and snowball sampling. Setting Needle and syringe programmes (NSPs), medical clinics, alcohol/drug agencies, peer-based and outreach organizations across inner and outer metropolitan Melbourne. Participants Two hundred and nine current injecting drug users. The mean age was 27 years, 68% were male, 65% unemployed, 36% with prison history and 25% in methadone maintenance. Measurements BBV-TRAQ items cover specific injecting, sexual and skin penetration risk practices. BBV-TRAQ characteristics were assessed via measures of internal and test–retest reliability; collateral validation; and principal components analyses. Findings The BBV-TRAQ has satisfactory psychometric properties. Internal (a=0.87), test–retest (r=0.84) and inter-observer reliability results were high, suggesting that the instrument provides a reliable measure of BBV risk behaviour and is reliable over time and across interviewers. A principal components analysis with varimax rotation produced a parsimonious factor solution despite modest communality, and indicated that three factors (injecting, sex and skin penetration/hygiene risks) are required to describe BBV risk behaviour. Conclusions The BBV-TRAQ is reliable and represents the first risk assessment tool to incorporate sufficient coverage of injecting, sex and other skin penetration risk practices to be considered truly content valid. The questionnaire is indicated for use in addictions research, clinical, peer education and BBV risk behaviour surveillance settings.
Lucy E Napper - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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assessment of risky injection practices associated with hepatitis b hepatitis c and human immunodeficiency Virus and using the Blood Borne Virus transmission risk assessment questionnaire
Journal of Addictive Diseases, 2012Co-Authors: Grace L Reynolds, Dennis G Fisher, Lucy E NapperAbstract:Risky injection practices among injection drug users (IDUs) contribute to the spread of Blood-Borne infections such as human immunodeficiency Virus, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. The Blood-Borne Virus Transmission Risk Assessment Questionnaire (BBV-TRAQ). was developed in Australia to determine risk behaviors for specific infections. Blood testing for human immunodeficiency Virus, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C was performed on all participants, and data on Blood tests were linked to questionnaires. The BBV-TRAQ was administered to 242 current and former injection drug users in Long Beach, California, and the Long Beach data were compared with the original Australian data. In the comparison of the mean scores on the three subscales and total scores on the BBV-TRAQ between the samples, means for all three subscales and the total BBV-TRAQ score were significantly different, with Long Beach scores consistently lower than the Australian sample. The injecting and sexual risk subscales were significantly different across levels of AIDS risk perception for all three types of injectors; however, the other skin penetration practices subscale had no significant association with AIDS risk perception for any of the injection drug user groups. Despite recent efforts to educate injectors about the risks associated with practices captured by the other skin penetration practices subscale, such as tattooing and sharing razors, this subscale does not have an association with AIDS risk perception. injection drug users in Australia may have better access to health care, giving their self-report of infection greater validity than the California sample.
Carolyn Day - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Blood Borne Virus prevalence and risk among steroid injectors results from the australian needle and syringe program survey
Drug and Alcohol Review, 2008Co-Authors: Carolyn Day, Libby Topp, Jenny Iversen, Lisa MaherAbstract:People who inject performance and image enhancing drugs (PIED) are at risk of Blood-Borne viral infections (BBVI), including human immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and hepatitis C Virus (HCV). Although...
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The "lessons" of the Australian "heroin shortage"
Substance Abuse Treatment Prevention and Policy, 2006Co-Authors: Louisa Degenhardt, Carolyn Day, Stuart Gilmour, Wayne HallAbstract:Heroin use causes considerable harm to individual users including dependence, fatal and nonfatal overdose, mental health problems, and Blood Borne Virus transmission. It also adversely affects the community through drug dealing, property crime and reduced public amenity. During the mid to late 1990s in Australia the prevalence of heroin use increased as reflected in steeply rising overdose deaths. In January 2001, there were reports of an unpredicted and unprecedented reduction in heroin supply with an abrupt onset in all Australian jurisdictions. The shortage was most marked in New South Wales, the State with the largest heroin market, which saw increases in price, dramatic decreases in purity at the street level, and reductions in the ease with which injecting drug users reported being able to obtain the drug. The abrupt onset of the shortage and a subsequent dramatic reduction in overdose deaths prompted national debate about the causes of the shortage and later international debate about the policy significance of what has come to be called the "Australian heroin shortage". In this paper we summarise insights from four years' research into the causes, consequences and policy implications of the "heroin shortage".
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the impact of changes to heroin supply on Blood Borne Virus notifications and injecting related harms in new south wales australia
BMC Public Health, 2005Co-Authors: Carolyn Day, Wayne Hall, Louisa Degenhardt, Stuart GilmourAbstract:Background In early 2001 Australia experienced a sudden and unexpected disruption to heroin availability, know as the 'heroin shortage'. This 'shortage has been linked to a decrease in needle and syringe output and therefore possibly a reduction in injecting drug use. We aimed to examine changes, if any, in Blood-Borne viral infections and presentations for injecting related problems related to injecting drug use following the reduction heroin availability in Australia, in the context of widespread harm reduction measures.
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what s in a Virus folk understandings of hepatitis c infection and infectiousness among injecting drug users in kings cross sydney
International Journal for Equity in Health, 2005Co-Authors: Erica Southgate, Anne Maree Weatherall, Carolyn Day, Kate DolanAbstract:Background To explore folk understandings of Blood Borne Virus infection and infectiousness among injecting drug users in Kings Cross, Sydney.