Project Overview

Hepatitis C is a chronic, infectious disease that affects approximately 250,000 people across Canada. Although it is recommended that those affected receive regular care to monitor and manage their condition, reports from health care providers indicate high rates of non-attendance for hepatitis C care and a need for greater understanding of the issues behind non-attendance.

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to explore the personal and health system factors behind why people attend, delay, defer or do not seek hepatitis C care.

Methods

Information was gathered through individual interviews (telephone and in person) with those affected by hepatitis C and group sessions with health and social care providers. This project was guided by a national advisory committee made up of people affected by hepatitis C and health and social care providers.

Participants

All together, 84 people participated in the study from six provinces: British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. There were 55 participants who were affected by hepatitis C and 29 health and social care providers.
 
Of the patient participants, 55% were men and all had lived with hepatitis C for at least one year. Providers all had experience working with people living with hepatitis C. They worked in community clinics, community support agencies, specialist clinics, public health, prison health, and street outreach.