Misperceptions among patients with chronic hepatitis B in Singapore.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the misperceptions among CHB patients, as well as to determine the factors associated with better knowledge.


METHODS
A telephone interview was conducted on 192 adult CHB patients, who earlier responded to an advertisement for free screening. The questionnaire included items about socio-demographic factors and a 14-item quiz on knowledge of general aspects, transmission, and management of HBV infection.


RESULTS
The mean knowledge score on HBV was 10.4/14. Common misperceptions included availability of treatment for HBV infection and early liver cancer, as well as on transmission. Having completed tertiary education was the only independent factor associated with a high knowledge score, after controlling other demographic factors.


CONCLUSIONS
More educational efforts should be focused on patients' misperceptions and target the less educated HBV carriers.
Wai
Chun-Tao
CT
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore 119074, Singapore. waict@nuh.com.sg
Mak
Belinda
B
Chua
Winnie
W
Tan
Mei-Hua
MH
Ng
Seline
S
Cheok
Amelia
A
Wong
Mee-Lian
ML
Lim
Seng-Gee
SG
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011634:Public Health; D012846:Singapore; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires