Partner Navigation Intervention for Hepatitis C Treatment Among Young People Who Inject Drugs

A Randomized Trial to Test the Efficacy of a Partner Navigation Intervention for HCV Treatment Among Young Adult People Who Inject Drugs

The Partner Navigation Intervention Study is a randomized controlled study (RCT) to assess the efficacy and mechanism of action of the first behavioral intervention to increase hepatitis C (HCV) treatment initiation among adult people who inject drugs (PWID).

After an initial ramp-up phase to ensure intervention materials and protocols meet the needs of the target population and organizational setting, we will apply a stratified randomized design to enroll 250 adult PWID with recently diagnosed HCV infection ("index") and their primary injecting partner("partner") into a randomized control efficacy trial of a two-session partner navigation intervention, compared to standard of care. The primary endpoint is starting HCV treatment. Recruitment will over sample PWID between 18-30 years of age.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Self report injecting drugs in the past month
• Self report a primary injecting partner (currently inject drugs together)
• HCV infection identified at partnering community-based clinical site