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Factors That Influence The High Prevalence Of Hcv Among Pwid

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Hepatitis C (HCV) is a blood borne virus that can lead to chronic liver disease and liver failure. In Canada, nearly 250,000 people have an active Hepatitis C infection (Strike, Leonard, Millson, Anstice, Berkeley, & Medd, 2006). People who inject drugs (PWID) are disproportionately represented in this statistic accounting for over 66% of those infected (Strike et al., 2006). Needle sharing among PWID is oft cited as one of the leading causes of HCV transmission (Strike et al. 2006). The objective of this paper is to explore the factors that influence the high prevalence of HCV among PWID, as well as, explore successful interventions and how they can be applied to a community health nursing practice. Firstly, using population statistics I will define the population of “people who inject drugs”. Next, I will provide comprehensive information about the Hepatitis C virus and modes of transmission. I will also analyze the behavioral, structural and attitudinal factors that increase the prevalence of HCV among PWIDs. I will then present research on an effective primary prevention intervention, the needle exchange program. In this section I will also explore how the development of trust with PWID clients and healthcare staff can increase health care utilization and reduce needle sharing. I will then discuss two community health nursing standards (Standards 1 and 3) will guide my work in Parkdale CHC’s NEP. Lastly, I will outline how the I will apply my knowledge of HCV

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