title: Drug treatment clients' readiness for hepatitis C treatment: implications for expanding treatment services in drug and alcohol settings.
abstract: This study explores the perception of and readiness for hepatitis C treatment within a sample of 77 clients already participating in drug treatment, with a view to identifying likely barriers and incentives to hepatitis C treatment within a drug treatment population. Participants with hepatitis C did not demonstrate a consistent, indepth knowledge of the infection, lacked confidence in symptom recognition, and had little awareness of treatment options. Those without obvious symptoms or liver deterioration did not have a pressing interest in treatment, and many had heard concerning stories about the side effects of hepatitis C treatment. For those coping with anxiety or depression, the increased risk of a depressive episode under interferon treatment was a major barrier to treatment.
authors.affiliation: National Centre in HIV Social Research, University of New South Wales, 231F, Sir Robert Webster Building, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia. c.treloar@unsw.edu.au
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Treloar
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Holt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D009042:Motivation; D009517:New South Wales; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011793:Queensland; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D014904:Western Australia
chemical_list: D008691:Methadone