Linkage to Care for Persons with Hep C Infection

Study Summary

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection is an ongoing challenge in the United States, with an estimated 2.4 million individuals living with HCV in 2016. According to the Virginia Department of Health, over 11,500 people were living with HCV infection in 2017 with a rate of 170 reported cases/100,000 adults. This same year, the situation was even more dire in Roanoke City which had a rate of 524/100,000 adults. Treatment with antiviral medication is curative and well tolerated. However, gaps remain in the ability of the health system to engage the most vulnerable patients to start and complete treatment. People with HCV infection usually are unaware of the infection, which allows the disease to progress to liver damage, liver cancer and death if left untreated.At each stage of the screening, testing, and treatment process, there is significant patient loss to follow-up. Drop-off most commonly occurs between diagnosis and the first visit to a treating provider. Key barriers to successful engagement include: 1) communication issues, such as lack of phone or limited phone access; 2) lack of transportation; 3) significant social issues such as poverty; 4) substance use disorder; and 5) a limited understanding of the consequences of untreated HCV infection. In this mixed-method design, the investigators propose a pilot study that will provide education and resources, such as vouchers for phone, transportation, and meals, to the most vulnerable patients that will facilitate engagement in treatment as additional factors that may influence dropout rates are evaluated.

Conditions Studied

Interventions

• BEHAVIORAL Peer specialist (PS) and vouchers

Study Locations (1)