1. Hepatitis C transmission, prevention, and treatment knowledge among patients with HIV.
- Author
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Proeschold-Bell RJ, Blouin R, Reif S, Amana A, Rowland BJ, Lombard F, Stringfield B, and Muir AJ
- Subjects
- Adult, Alcohol Drinking adverse effects, Chi-Square Distribution, Female, HIV Infections complications, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Hepatitis C complications, Hepatitis C drug therapy, Hepatitis C prevention & control, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Patient Education as Topic, HIV Infections virology, Hepatitis C transmission
- Abstract
Objective: Liver disease associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a serious cause of mortality among people living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) (PLWHA). Little is known about the HCV knowledge of PLWHA., Methods: One hundred seventy-nine patients at an infectious disease clinic were interviewed on HCV knowledge and alcohol use., Results: Sixty-six percent of participants indicated that HCV is transmitted through blood; 53% indicated that persons with HIV-HCV co-infection can benefit from HCV treatment; and 79% and 74%, respectively, indicated that safer sex and safer injection techniques can prevent HCV transmission. Among PLWHA with self-reported HCV, 97% indicated that persons with HCV should not drink alcohol, but 32% reported using alcohol in the past 30 days., Conclusions: Health education is needed to prevent HCV infections and increase HCV treatment-seeking. Higher education levels were related to more accurate HCV knowledge, indicating the need for health promotion for PLWHA of lower education levels.
- Published
- 2010
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