Validity Of Self-Reported Hepatitis C Virus Status Among Criminal Justice-Involved Persons Living With Hiv

The prevalence of HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection among justice-involved persons is high. The validity of self-reported HCV status in this population has important public health implications, yet has not been studied. Justice-involved persons with HIV from Washington, DC, were enrolled in a study that investigated a mobile health intervention to support HIV treatment. Self-reported and laboratory-confirmed HCV status was compared. Among 103 participants, chronic HCV prevalence was 13%. Positive predictive value of self-reported positive chronic HCV status was low at 55%, and negative predictive value was 98%. Cohen's kappa statistic was 0.60 for agreement. Two women who reported negative HCV status were found to have HCV.