Realize Your Potential: Awareness Campaign Addressing Hepatitis C Screening Issues Among Marginalized Individuals
In January 2001, the Region of Peel Public Health, Peel Coalition for Shelter and Health Canada began a project to address hepatitis C concerns and issues in the community. It focuses on people infected with, affected by or at-risk of hepatitis C infection and who are homeless, or have experienced homelessness. With the support of Peel Health, a Hepatitis C Action Group was formed which included members who were either infected, affected or at-risk of contracting hepatitis C and representatives from various community agencies that provide services to marginalized populations. This includes homeless individuals and those at risk for becoming homeless, street youth and women, many of whom engage in high risk behaviours such as injection drug use, tattooing, body piercing, and high risk sexual contact. A needs assessment of these populations was developed and conducted by the Action Group to determine the level of knowledge about hepatitis C among the target population, and to identify needs and issues requiring further action.
From the survey results, the Action Group identified a need for more information around screening tests for hepatitis C.
The goal of this project was to reduce the spread of hepatitis C in the Region of Peel among marginalized populations by facilitating an awareness campaign to address hepatitis C screening issues. A peer support and education program was led by the Action Group. Community information sessions and a networking workshop for community based agencies was also be conducted.