Knowledge and attitudes about hepatitis C virus ( HCV) infection and its treatment in HCV mono-infected and HCV/ HIV co-infected adults.

Autor: Chen, E. Y., North, C. S., Fatunde, O., Bernstein, I., Salari, S., Day, B., Jain, M. K.
Předmět:
Zdroj: Journal of Viral Hepatitis; Oct2013, Vol. 20 Issue 10, p708-714, 7p, 5 Charts
Abstrakt: Hepatitis C virus ( HCV) treatment is rapidly changing but little is known about patients' attitudes and knowledge about HCV. This study used a cross-sectional survey to examine the relationship between HCV knowledge and attitudes towards HCV in patients with HCV mono-infection and HIV/ HCV co-infection. Subsequently, an education intervention was developed with an abridged version of the cross-sectional survey administered before and after the education session to assess changes in knowledge and attitudes. 292 people participated in the cross-sectional survey, and 87 people participated in the education intervention. In the cross-sectional survey, the mean knowledge score regarding HCV was low (<50% of the total possible score). Mono-infected and co-infected individuals shared similar knowledge deficits and attitudes towards HCV despite having distinct demographic differences. Attitudes endorsed by patients included the following: 57% feared the consequences of HCV on their life, 37% felt HCV was not fatal, 27% did not believe they needed HCV medication, 21% felt ashamed of having HCV and 16% felt HCV treatment was not important. Attitudes that reflected indifference and shame towards HCV were associated with lower knowledge scores ( HCV knowledge score of 15.1 vs. 17.5, P < 0.01 for indifference and 15.3 vs. 17.2 for shame, P = 0.02). The education intervention improved knowledge scores but did not modify the assessed attitudes. Intervention studies are needed to effectively change attitudes towards HCV infection and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Databáze: Complementary Index
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