Hepatitis C transmission, prevention, and treatment knowledge among patients with HIV.
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.
Duke University Global Health Institute and Duke University Center for Health Policy, Durham, NC 27708, USA. Rae.jean@duke.edu
Rae Jean
RJ
Proeschold-Bell
Rachel
R
Blouin
Susan
S
Reif
Arit
A
Amana
Benjamin J
BJ
Rowland
Frank
F
Lombard
Beth
B
Stringfield
Andrew J
AJ
Muir
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic