Culturally Targeted Patient Navigation in Ethnic Urban Populations with Chronic Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C

The objective of this prospective, randomized control trial is to examine patient navigation strategies and attendance of a follow-up office visit in community participants screened for chronic viral hepatitis B (HBV) & C (HCV). Prior studies have demonstrated that the proportion of people diagnosed with chronic viral hepatitis who go onto follow up and treatment is small. The study of patient navigation is key to bridging the gap between community based viral hepatitis screening efforts and follow-up care. Patient navigation has the potential to increase treatment and cure rates to slow or halt progression of chronic liver disease. We hypothesize that culturally targeted patient navigation in community participants who tests positive for chronic HBV and/or HCV can significantly increase follow-up care. More specifically, we hypothesize that patients who receive peer patient navigation will have higher rates of adherence to follow up visits than patients who receive health educator patient navigation.