ABSTRACT
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM/QUESTION: People who are experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles do not have access to reliable clean water to practice hand hygiene, have limited ability to socially distance due to shelter space limitations, and may not have the finances to obtain a protective mask or keep one clean if they have one in their possession, which compromises their ability to protect themselves during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM/INTERVENTION: Internal MedicinePediatrics residents of Los Angeles County + University of Southern California Medical Center (LAC+USC) created a health education program within interim housing and shelter sites affiliated with the Department of Health Services (DHS) Housing for Health organization to help decrease the risk for covid-19 outbreaks within the population of people experiencing homelessness. The primary intervention consisted of evidence-based health education sessions using powerpoint presentations, informed by an initial survey of common questions fielded by community stakeholders, then followed by open discussion between the resident physicians, shelter staff, and shelter clientele. MEASURES OF SUCCESS: Measuring the efficacy of the intervention included immediate verbal feedback from clients and staff after the health education, as well as pre- and post-surveys. Pre-surveys assessed staff's perception of their client population's understanding of COVID-19 and their adherence to public health recommendations (wearing masks, practicing frequent hand washing, practicing social distancing). After a minimum of one month, post-surveys were sent to staff to evaluate if there was an improvement in client understanding and adherence to public health recommendations. FINDINGS TO DATE: 10 total educational sessions were completed for clients and staff at DHS sites. Staff noted that 4 to 5 clients were: wearing masks 87.5% of the time prior to the intervention and 100% after, practicing good hand hygiene 62.5% of the time prior and 83.3% after, and practicing social distancing 62.5% of the time prior and 100% after. KEY LESSONS FOR DISSEMINATION: Health education interventions within shelter and interim-housing populations can be effective in behavioral modification for disease prevention of covid-19 infection.