Hepatitis C testing

Export Indicator

Proportion of people starting antiretroviral therapy who were tested for hepatitis C virus (HCV)
What it measures

It monitors trends in hepatitis C testing, a critical intervention for assessing needs related to managing hepatitis C.

Hepatitis C testing provides information on the prevalence of HIV and HCV coinfection, informing clinicians on the need for further clinical and laboratory evaluation and treatment.

Rationale

Testing for hepatitis C identifies HIV and HCV coinfection to adapt treatment

Numerator

Number of adults and children starting antiretroviral therapy who were tested for hepatitis C during the reporting period using the sequence of anti-HCV antibody tests followed by HCV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for those who are anti-HCV positive.

Denominator

Number of adults and children starting antiretroviral therapy during the reporting period

Calculation

Numerator/denominator

Method of measurement

Clinical and/or laboratory records

Measurement frequency

Annual

Disaggregation
  • Sex 
  • Age (<15 and 15+ years) 
  • People who inject drugs
Strengths and weaknesses

Patients who are anti-HCV positive have serological evidence of past or present infection. People who are anti-HCV positive must be tested for HCV RNA (detects HCV circulating in the blood) to differentiate resolved infections from current infections that require treatment.

This indicator monitors progress in hepatitis C testing activities on a regular basis but does not reflect the overall proportion of people coinfected HIV and HCV receiving HIV care who are aware of their hepatitis C coinfection. Indicator C.6 of the viral hepatitis monitoring and evaluation framework, disaggregated by HIV status, would reflect this.

Collecting information on past or current injecting drug use allows reporting of disaggregated data for PWID. Recording information on stigmatised and commonly criminalised behaviours such as illicit drug use poses a risk when an individual can be identified. Efforts must be made to ensure patient records and registers avoid disclosing information that would allow for identification of individuals engaged in stigmatised or criminalised behaviour.

Further information

Consolidated guidelines on person-centred HIV strategic information: strengthening routine data for impact. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2022 (https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240055315).

Consolidated guidelines on HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for key populations. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2016 (https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/246200/9789241511124-eng.pdf;jsessionid=28C67621504E323967719DE7C880FF01?sequence=1).

Related Indicators

DfH.1 HCV screening coverage, 2020, WHO Consolidated HIV strategic information guidelines: driving impact through programme monitoring and management (https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/consolidated-hiv-strategic-information-guidelines).