Needs Assessment of HCV-Infected Individuals Experiencing Homelessness and Implications

J Health Care Poor Underserved. 2017;28(1):596-606. doi: 10.1353/hpu.2017.0042.

Abstract

The advent of tolerable, efficacious therapies for hepatitis C virus (HCV) creates an opportunity to provide HCV treatment for individuals experiencing homelessness. A federally-qualified community health center serving individuals experiencing homelessness in Boston conducted an anonymous needs assessment survey of a sample of HCV-infected patients in order to inform development of an HCV treatment program (N = 240). Primary care providers (PCPs) were identified as the chief source of HCV education. Main motivators to consider HCV treatment were identified as "taking care of your health" (73.5%) and "your provider says you should get treated" (53.6%). Interest and confidence to complete HCV treatment were high. The majority of respondents (51.4%) preferred to receive HCV treatment in the primary care setting. Preference for PCP-based treatment was significant compared to liver specialty-based treatment (30.8%, p < .0001). This is the first assessment of its kind describing the preferences of homeless individuals concerning hepatitis C treatment.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Hepatitis C / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Ill-Housed Persons / psychology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Needs Assessment
  • Patient Preference
  • Primary Health Care / organization & administration*
  • Safety-net Providers / organization & administration*
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents