Adeline M. Nyamathi, Sarah Akure Wall, Kartik Yadav, Sanghyuk S. Shin, Alicia Chang, Nicholas Arce, Helena Cuellar, Shannon Fernando, Kathryn White, Lillian Gelberg, Benissa E. Salem; First published June 30, 2021; https://doi.org/10.1177/10497323211021782

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 promoting: (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.