title: Needs Assessment of HCV-Infected Individuals Experiencing Homelessness and Implications.
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 &lt; .0001). This is the first assessment of its kind describing the preferences of homeless individuals concerning hepatitis C treatment.
authors.forename: Marguerite
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beiser
authors.forename: Casey
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Leon
authors.forename: Jessie M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gaeta
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D057240:Patient Preference; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D064876:Safety-net Providers / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents