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Buechler CR, Ukani A, Elsharawi R, Gable J, Petersen A, Franklin M, Chung R, Bell J, Manly A, Hefzi N, Carpenter D, Bryce R. Barriers, beliefs, and practices regarding hygiene and vaccination among the homeless during a hepatitis A outbreak in Detroit, MI. Heliyon 2020; 6:e03474. [PMID: 32258449 PMCID: PMC7109626 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Appropriate hygiene practices and vaccine acceptance are key factors impacting the health of homeless individuals. A recent outbreak of hepatitis A in Michigan, especially impacting Detroit, prompted us to investigate the practices and attitudes of Detroit's homeless population toward hygiene measures and vaccinations, as well as barriers to such resources. We developed a questionnaire as a means to collect our data, and participants were interviewed at shelters and soup kitchens. While the majority of participants adhered to healthy hygiene practices, approximately 89% reported barriers to accessing public showers. More than half the participants (64%) reported receiving their hepatitis A vaccine prior to the study, while 23% reported previously refusing or hesitating to receive vaccinations. Despite an overall favorable adherence to hygiene practices, substantial barriers are yet to be overcome. Moreover, active measures should be taken to establish higher levels of trust between providers and the homeless to encourage vaccine acceptance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor R Buechler
- Street Medicine Detroit, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA.,Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
| | - Anita Ukani
- Street Medicine Detroit, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA.,Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
| | - Radwa Elsharawi
- Street Medicine Detroit, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA.,Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
| | - Jessica Gable
- Street Medicine Detroit, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA.,Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
| | - Anneliese Petersen
- Street Medicine Detroit, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA.,Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
| | - Michael Franklin
- Street Medicine Detroit, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA.,Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
| | - Raymond Chung
- Street Medicine Detroit, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA.,Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
| | - Jedidiah Bell
- Street Medicine Detroit, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA.,Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
| | - Amanda Manly
- Street Medicine Detroit, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA.,Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
| | - Nousha Hefzi
- Street Medicine Detroit, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA.,Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
| | - Dean Carpenter
- Street Medicine Detroit, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA.,Neighborhood Service Organization, Detroit, Michigan, 48213, USA
| | - Richard Bryce
- Street Medicine Detroit, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA.,Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
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