The USVI Department of Health (DOH), Division of Mental Health, Alcoholism and Drug Dependency Services will be hosting Hepatitis C Virus trainings in both districts, St. Thomas on March 27, 2017 and St. Croix on March 28, 2017, in partnership with the Northeast & Caribbean Addiction Technology Transfer Center. Behavioral and health care professionals in the Territory are encouraged to register for these trainings.
UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
_________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 14, 2017
DOH to Host Hepatitis C Virus Trainings
Behavioral & Health Care Professionals Encouraged to Attend
The USVI Department of Health (DOH), Division of Mental Health, Alcoholism and Drug Dependency Services will be hosting Hepatitis C Virus trainings in both districts, St. Thomas on March 27, 2017 and St. Croix on March 28, 2017, in partnership with the Northeast & Caribbean Addiction Technology Transfer Center. Behavioral and health care professionals in the Territory are encouraged to register for these trainings.
Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hcv/), Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus. Today, most people become infected with the Hepatitis C virus by sharing needles or other equipment to inject drugs. For some people, hepatitis C is a short-term illness but for 70%–85% of people who become infected with Hepatitis C, it becomes a long-term, chronic infection. Chronic Hepatitis C is a serious disease than can result in long-term health problems, even death. Most infected persons might not be aware of their infection because they are not clinically ill. There is no vaccine for Hepatitis C. The best way to prevent Hepatitis C is by avoiding behaviors that can spread the disease, especially injecting drugs.
The Hepatitis C training goals are as follows:
To instruct behavioral and health care professionals on:
- Hepatitis C infection
- Opportunities for promoting Hepatitis C screening and testing
- Treatment options and patient considerations
- Link Hepatitis C infected patients to healthcare
The learning objectives are as follows:
List at least three populations at-risk for Hepatitis Infection
- Explain the difference between acute and chronic Hepatitis C infection
- Discuss at least two reasons it is important to promote Hepatitis C screening and testing
- List at least three treatment factors to consider and describe at least two new treatment options available to Hepatitis C Virus positive patients
- Provide examples of at least three strategies to link persons infected with Hepatitis C Virus to health care
Hepatitis C Virus Trainings will take place in both districts:
St. Thomas Training
Date: March 27, 2017
Time: 8:30 – 12:00
Location: Department of Human Services Head Start Building
1-3-5 Sugar Estate, 1st Avenue Bottom of 1st Street
Presenters:
Deneen Robinson RN
Annette Scott, Medical Technologist II
Registration Contact:
Kim Christopher
(340)774-7700 ext. 2103
kim.christopher@doh.vi.gov
St. Croix Training
Date: March 28, 2017
Time: 8:30 – 12:00
Location: Virgin Islands Department of Health
Charles Harwood Memorial Complex
Presenters:
Deneen Robinson RN
Annette Scott, Medical Technologist II
Registration Contact:
Kim Christopher
(340)774-7700 ext. 2103
kim.christopher@doh.vi.gov
Additional Links:
https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hcv/cfaq.htm
http://www.webmd.com/hepatitis/tc/hepatitis-c-topic-overview#1
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