The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #63863

Lisa Arangua, MPP¹, Lillian Gelberg, MD, MSPH¹, and Marjorie Robertson, PhD². (1) Department of Family Medicine, UCLA, 50-071 Center for Health Sciences, Box 951683, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1683, 310 794 6094, lisaa@ucla.edu, (2) Alcohol Research Group-Public Health Institute, 2000 Hearst Avenue, Suite 300, Berkeley, CA 94709

Goals: The goal of this paper is to identify follow-up rates and predictors of treatment seeking among HBV-, HCV-, or HIV-positive homeless adults. Recent research suggests that while HBV, HCV and HIV infections may be significantly more prevalent among homeless adults than in the general population, homeless adults use health services in inconsistent ways that challenge the management and prevention of these infections. Despite the suspected challenge, however, there are no published population-based studies of HBV, HCV and HIV infection among homeless adults that examines their use of medical and treatment services. Methods: Data derives from the longitudinal component of a larger parent study on the incidence and prevalence of hepatitis B, C and HIV among homeless adults in Skid Row, Los Angeles. The parent study will conduct serology testing, notification of test results, and referrals for medical care for a probability sample of 500 shelter and meal program clients in the Skid Row area of downtown Los Angeles. About 30 days after notification of test results and referral for medical care, respondents will be given a brief interview. Respondents will be asked about their use of medical care for HBV, HCV, and HIV in the previous 30 days, where they went for care (including the referral clinic), types of care received, and perceived barriers to care. Preliminary Result: preliminary results will be presented on utilization rates to referral clinics and predictors of treatment seeking behaviors for those who test positive for HBV, HCV and HIV in the parent study.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to:
• Identify rates of general health care utilization among homeless adults with a recent seropositive test for HBV, HCV or HIV.
• Identify rates of health care utilization among homeless adults with a recent seropositive test to a medical provider specializing in HBV, HCV or HIV.
• Identify factors associated with general and specialty care utilization among homeless adults with a recent seropositive test for HBV, HCV or HIV.

Keywords: Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.