Needs Assessment of HCV-Infected Individuals Experiencing Homelessness and Implications

The advent of tolerable, effi cacious therapies for hepatitis C virus (HCV) creates an opportunity to provide HCV treatment for individuals experiencing homelessness. A federally- qualifi ed 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 identifi ed as the chief source of HCV education. Main motivators to consider HCV treatment were identifi ed as “taking care of your health” (73.5%) and “your provider says you should get treated” (53.6%). Interest and confi dence 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 signifi cant compared to liver specialty- based treatment (30.8%, p < .0001). This is the fi rst assessment of its kind describing the preferences of homeless individuals concerning hepatitis C treatment.

Publication Date: 
2017
Pages: 
596-606
Volume: 
28
Journal Name: 
Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved