http://hdl.handle.net/10147/215331 Fri, 27 Oct 2017 06:48:18 GMT 2017-10-27T06:48:18Z http://www.lenus.ie:80/hse/retrieve/847543/HPSC.gif http://hdl.handle.net/10147/215331 http://hdl.handle.net/10147/622512 Title: Audit of hepatitis C testing and referral: Addiction Treatment Centres Community Health Organisation Area 7 Authors: Bourke, Margaret; Hennessy, Sarah; Thornton, Lelia Mon, 09 Nov 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10147/622512 2015-11-09T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10147/622509 Title: Hepatitis C virus seroprevalence and prevalence of chronic infection in the adult population in Ireland: a study of residual sera, April 2014 to February 2016 Authors: Garvey, P; O’Grady, B; Franzoni, G; Bolger, M; Crosby, K Irwin; Connell, J; Burke, D; De Gascun, C; Thornton, L Description: Robust data on hepatitis C virus (HCV) population prevalence are essential to inform national HCV services. In 2016, we undertook a survey to estimate HCV prevalence among the adult population in Ireland. We used anonymised residual sera available at the National Virus Reference Laboratory. We selected a random sample comprising persons ≥ 18 years with probability proportional to the general population age-sex distribution. Anti-HCV and HCV Ag were determined using the Architect anti-HCV and HCV Ag assays. Fifty-three of 3,795 specimens were seropositive (age-sex-area weighted seroprevalence 0.98% (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.73–1.3%)). Thirty-three specimens were HCV-antigen and antibody-positive (age-sex-area weighted prevalence of chronic infection 0.57% (95% CI: 0.40–0.81%)). The prevalence of chronic infection was higher in men (0.91%; 95% CI: 0.61–1.4%), in specimens from the east of the country (1.4%; 95%CI: 0.99–2.0%), and among persons aged 30–39 years and 40–49 years (1.1% (95% CI: 0.59–2.0%) and 1.1% (95% CI: 0.64–1.9%) respectively). Ireland ranks at the lower end of the spectrum of prevalence of chronic HCV infection internationally. Men born between 1965 and 1984 from the east of the country have the highest rate of chronic HCV infection. Sat, 01 Jul 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10147/622509 2017-07-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10147/621488 Title: Information Sharing Guidelines for the notification of Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV Authors: Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) Description: The notification of cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV to the Medical Officer of Health (MoH) is an important step in prevention and control of STIs and HIV in Ireland. Sharing of laboratory and clinical information on STIs and HIV is required where mandated by infectious disease regulations (Infectious Diseases Regulations 1981, S.I. 390/1981, as amended by S.I. 268/1985, S.I. 288/1988, S.I. 384/1996, S.I. 151/2000, S.I. 115/2003, S.I. 180/2003, S.I. 707/2003, S.I. 865/2004, S.I. 559/2007, S.I. 452/2011). This requirement is affirmed in the Medical Council Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Medical Practitioners (Section 27.1). Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10147/621488 2011-12-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10147/621064 Title: Knowledge of HIV PEP Among Healthcare Workers in Ireland, 2016: Room for Improvement Authors: Garvey, P; Thornton, L; Lyons, F Description: Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is an important aspect of HIV prevention following potential exposure. We conducted a survey to assess knowledge of HIV PEP, and awareness of HIV PEP resources, among key healthcare professionals, using an anonymous online questionnaire. Twelve (18%) of 68 respondents answered five or more of six knowledge questions correctly; 49 (72%) cited the Emergency Management of Injuries (EMI) toolkit as a resource. Although most respondents were aware of the EMI Toolkit for HIV PEP, the low number of respondents correctly answering knowledge questions suggests a need for training to avoid potential suboptimal HIV PEP use. Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10147/621064 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z