title: A comparison of enrollees versus non-enrollees in a patient/family HCV psychoeducation study.
abstract: Despite the seriousness of Hepatitis C (HCV), many patients do not receive treatment. One promising means of addressing these issues for medically ill patients is through participation in support group services. This study examined individual-, treatment- and system-level factors associated with enrolling in a support group intervention (psychoeducation) for persons with HCV. A total of 235 research participants were recruited as part of a NIAAA-funded randomized clinical trial for patients with HCV and their family members, with 172 (73.2 %) agreeing to enroll in the psychoeducation trial and 63 (26.8 %) declining. Factors leading to enrollment indicated that individuals without employment, with certain personality structures (low cooperativeness and self-directedness), and traveling greater distance to their group were more likely to agree to participate. Populations being seen in public settings demonstrate a desire for additional support and education, but at the same time these potential participants are faced with challenges to following through and enrolling in the desired services.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Alabama, Box 870314, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0314, USA. depollio@sw.ua.edu
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Pollio
authors.forename: Carol S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: North
authors.forename: Ashley M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Hudson
authors.forename: Barry A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Hong
mesh_terms: D015897:Comorbidity; D005190:Family; D005196:Family Therapy; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015146:Midwestern United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D018579:Patient Selection; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology