Examining hepatitis C reinfection following treatment among HIV co-infected gay and bisexual men

New hepatitis C treatments can cure 95 per cent of people, including people with HIV coinfection.

Statewide efforts in Victoria to eliminate hepatitis C among HIV infected individuals are underway and aim to deliver treatment to 75 per cent of HCV/HIV gay and bisexual men over the next two years.

Hepatitis C transmission among gay and bisexual men can occur via sexual and injecting risk-taking behaviour.

Ongoing risk taking behaviour, such as unprotected sex, may undermine efforts to eliminate hepatitis C in this group.

This project will examine gay and bisexual men’s knowledge, attitudes and practice toward risk taking and hepatitis C prevention.

Behavioural data collected as part of the HCV/HIV coinfection elimination project, together with a series of qualitative interviews with gay and bisexual men, will be used to describe and understand steps to reduce HCV reinfection.

The project will involve a mixed method approach using analysis of data collected during an existing clinical trial, and qualitative data collection.

Applicants require a capacity to work autonomously in a field-based setting, and an understanding of the importance of a harm reduction approach to health care.