Table 1 Semi-structured discussion guide
From: Barriers to scaling up hepatitis C treatment in Malaysia: a qualitative study with key stakeholders
Scope of discussion | Questions and probes | Dimension of treatment access |
|---|---|---|
Screening and outreach to key populations | Who are the key populations of HCV in your area, and what have been the challenges in linking them to care? (Probes: distance, movement restriction) | Geographical accessibility |
What have been the challenges in HCV screening and case-finding in your setting? (Probes: patient load, staffing, facilities, system, knowledge, communication, culture) | Availability/ acceptability | |
What have been the challenges in referring individuals with a positive rapid screening test result to other settings for confirmatory testing and further management? (Probes: logistical barriers, patient load, staffing, facilities, system, communication, culture) | Geographical accessibility availability/ acceptability | |
Diagnosis and laboratory tests | What have been the challenges in HCV diagnosis and laboratory tests in your setting? (Probes: patient load, staffing, facilities, system) | Availability |
What have been the challenges in communicating the test results with other settings? (Probes: system, turnaround time, communication, culture) | Availability/ acceptability | |
Supply sustainability and inventory management | Are there any issues with the supply of direct-acting antivirals, rapid screening test kits and laboratory test reagents in your setting? (Probes: cost, budget, amounts) | Availability/ affordability |
Pharmacological treatment and follow-up | What have been the challenges in initiating HCV treatment and evaluating its outcomes in your setting? (Probes: awareness, attitude, refusal, system, skills) | Availability/ acceptability |
Although the treatment is provided free of charge, do you think there are any other indirect costs discouraging people living with HCV from receiving treatment? (Probes: multiple visits, transportation) | Affordability | |
HCV hepatitis C virus | ||