A qualitative study of perceived barriers to hepatitis C care among people who did not attend appointments in the non-urban US South.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Most people diagnosed with hepatitis C virus (HCV) have not linked to care, despite the availability of safe and effective treatment. We aimed to understand why people diagnosed with HCV have not pursued care in the non-urban Southern United States.

Methods

We conducted a survey and semi-structured interview with participants referred to an HCV clinic who did not attend an appointment between 2014 and 2018. Our clinic is located in a non-urban region of Virginia at a university hospital. Qualitative data collection was guided by the Health Belief Model (HBM). Data was analyzed using qualitative content analysis to identify key factors influencing patient perceptions regarding HCV and pursuit of care.

Results

Over half of previously referred patients (N = 20

SUBMITTER: Sherbuk JE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7501689 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature