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VERSION:2.0
PRODID:icalendar-ruby
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
X-WR-CALNAME:DrPH Dissertation: Sasha Tarkia Smith
X-WR-TIMEZONE:Eastern Time (US & Canada)
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260609T215657Z
UID:tag:localist.com\,2008:EventInstance_52488739174413
DTSTART:20260406T180000Z
DTEND:20260406T194500Z
DESCRIPTION:Dissertation Title: Assessing the Feasibility of Expanding Hepa
 titis C Prevention\, Screening\, and Treatment Services in Georgia's Medic
 ation-Assisted Treatment Centers\n\nDissertation Chair: Dr. Kevin Maloney\
 n\nDissertation Abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a significant public 
 health issue in the U.S.\, especially among people who inject drugs (PWID)
 . While previous studies emphasize the need for HCV care in substance use 
 treatment\, there is a need to examine implementation practices in Georgia
 ’s medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs. MAT centers represent c
 ritical points of engagement for individuals at elevated risk for HCV infe
 ction and provide an opportunity to expand prevention\, testing\, and link
 age-to-care services. This dissertation examines the feasibility of expand
 ing HCV prevention\, screening\, and treatment strategies within Georgia
 ’s MAT centers\, consistent with priorities outlined in Georgia’s Vira
 l Hepatitis Elimination Plan.\n\nA mixed-methods evaluation was conducted 
 using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Framework for Pro
 gram Evaluation in Public Health. Two primary data sources informed the an
 alysis: (1) the 2024 MAT Center Survey administered by the Georgia Departm
 ent of Public Health (DPH) and (2) de-identified hepatitis C surveillance 
 data from the State Electronic Notifiable Disease Surveillance System (SEN
 DSS) for the years 2018–2022. Descriptive analyses were used to summariz
 e MAT facility characteristics\, service availability\, and reported barri
 ers to HCV service delivery. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to asses
 s the potential influence of nonresponse bias due to the low survey respon
 se rate. Open-ended responses were analyzed by survey topics to identify p
 erceived challenges and opportunities for integrating HCV services within 
 MAT settings. Geographic comparisons were conducted to examine the distrib
 ution of MAT centers relative to county-level HCV burden across Georgia\n\
 nFindings indicated that while many MAT centers reported offering HCV anti
 body testing or referral for testing\, fewer centers provided confirmatory
  RNA testing or on-site treatment services. Respondents identified key bar
 riers\, including limited staffing capacity\, insufficient funding\, compe
 ting clinical priorities\, and logistical challenges related to laboratory
  access and care coordination. Geographic analysis suggested potential ser
 vice gaps in certain rural and underserved regions with elevated HCV burde
 n.\n\nMy recommendations include strengthening HCV testing capacity within
  MAT centers\, a feasible first step toward expanding HCV care. Targeted i
 nvestments in workforce training\, testing infrastructure\, and referral p
 artnerships may improve linkage to care and support progress toward hepati
 tis C elimination goals in Georgia.
GEO:33.752114;-84.385475
LOCATION:Urban Life Building\, 446
SUMMARY:DrPH Dissertation: Sasha Tarkia Smith
URL;VALUE=URI:https://calendar.gsu.edu/event/drph-dissertation-sasha-tarkia
 -smith
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