Development of a Community-based HCV Treatment Completion Intervention Among HCV Positive Homeless Adults

Study Summary

This randomized controlled trial (RCT) will test the efficacy of a Community Health Worker/Registered Nurse (CHW-RN) HCV intervention for homeless individuals, many who are also drug users. The intervention will be designed during Phase I of the proposal using an iterative process between a Community Advisory Board (CAB) and focus groups. The CHW/RN intervention will occur over a 2 or 3 month (8-12 weeks) period depending on the Direct-Acting Antiviral (DAA) prescribed. Homeless adults assigned to the CHW/RN HCV treatment group will receive culturally-sensitive education, case management, and daily DOT delivery of DAA by an RN-guided CHW. The CHW will run a brief (20 min) weekly 1:1 education and 20 min case management session over the 8 or 12 weeks and will deliver all components of the program (which will be developed and refined during Phase I). The CHW-RN HCV intervention will be compared to a clinic-based standard of care group (cbSOC). Primary outcomes are the completion of the Direct-Acting Agent (DAA) treatment (month 2 or 3) and SVR12 Cure (month 5 or 6). Secondary outcomes are improved mental health status, decrease in substance use, and improved access to health care, and shelter stability at month 5 or 6.

Primary Outcome

The number of participants completing HCV treatment (7 days per week x 2- or 3 month treatment of DAA) was measured by pill count to measure adherence in both groups. For the RN/CHW group, directly observed therapy was utilized where the CHW or RN delivered the medication daily and documented each time s/he observed the participant swallow a pill. For the cbSOC Program (control group), the clinic-based MD/NP conducted a pill count monthly, based on the medications left in the pill bottle each m

Interventions

• BEHAVIORAL Community health worker (CHW)/ registered nurse (RN) [CHW/RN]
• BEHAVIORAL Clinic-based Standard of Care (cbSOC) Program (control group)