FIDAA - Understanding the Experience of People Receiving Escalating Financial Incentives for the Testing and Uptake of Direct Acting Antivirals for Hepatitis C - A Feasibility Study.

Participants must complete the study hepatitis C point-of-care RNA test (HCV-POCT) and provide informed consent to participate. HCV-POCT is a rapid, on-site hepatitis C testing process in which a finger-prick blood sample is analysed using a portable device to detect HCV RNA, with results typically available within approximately 60 minutes. This enables participants to receive their results during the same visit and facilitates immediate linkage to care where required. Participants who complete the study HCV-POCT and provide consent will receive a small reimbursement for completing a brief feedback survey and an incentive for collecting their HCV-POCT test results. The feedback survey is available in either paper or online format and takes approximately 5-10 minutes to complete. Participants who choose to remain on site to receive their test results (approximately 1 hour after testing) or telephone the service before close of business on the day of testing to obtain their results will receive an incentive for doing so. Participants who complete HCV-POCT and test HCV RNA-positive are eligible for additional incentives for: • attending a pre-treatment assessment; • collecting direct-acting antiviral (DAA) medication; and • completing follow-up testing to confirm cure (sustained virological response [SVR]). For participants who test HCV RNA-negative, the intervention is completed on the day of testing. For participants who test HCV RNA-positive, the intervention extends from the day of HCV-POCT through completion of follow-up testing to confirm cure. The minimum expected duration is approximately 8–12 weeks, depending on the prescribed DAA regimen and timely participant progression through each stage of care, including pre-treatment assessment, medication collection, treatment completion, and SVR assessment. Intervention adherence and fidelity will be monitored through the maintenance of study records, including HCV-POCT testing logs, participant attendance records, and incentive distribution logs, to ensure that all intervention components are delivered consistently and in accordance with the study protocol.