Engaging the Community in Designing a Hepatitis C Virus Treatment Program for Adults Experiencing Homelessness. (September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nyamathi, Adeline M.; Wall, Sarah Akure; Yadav, Kartik; Shin, Sanghyuk S.; Chang, Alicia; Arce, Nicholas; Cuellar, Helena; Fernando, Shannon; White, Kathryn; Gelberg, Lillian; Salem, Benissa E.
• Is Part Of: Qualitative health research. Volume 31:Number 11(2021)
• Page Start: 2069
• Page End: 2083
• Publication Date: 2021-09
• Subjects: Hepatitis C Virus -- homeless adults -- designing an HCV treatment program in Los Angeles for homeless adults -- qualitative community-based participatory design; Health -- Periodicals; Health behavior -- Periodicals; Health -- Research -- Methodology -- Periodicals; Health behavior -- Research -- Methodology -- Periodicals; 610.7205
• DOI: 10.1177/10497323211021782
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1049-7323

Abstract

Despite the availability of cure for hepatitis C virus (HCV), people experiencing homelessness (PEH) are challenged with initiating and completing HCV treatment. The design of culturally sensitive HCV treatment programs is lacking. The objective was to employ community-based participatory research methods to understand perceptions of HCV-positive PEH, and providers, on the design and delivery of a culturally sensitive, nurse-led community health worker (RN/CHW) HCV initiation and completion program. Four focus group sessions were conducted with HCV-positive PEH ( n = 30) as well as homeless service providers (HSP; n = 7) in Skid Row, Los Angeles. An iterative, thematic approach provided the themes of essentials of successful participant engagement and retention: Role of nurse-Led CHW in promotin g: (a) tangible and emotional support; (b) cognitive and behavioral support; and (c) financial and structural resources. The goal of this study is to provide the groundwork for future research of HCV program design to support HCV cure among homeless populations.