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.
Proeschold-Bell
Rae Jean
RJ
Duke University Global Health Institute and Duke University Center for Health Policy, Durham, NC 27708, USA. Rae.jean@duke.edu
Blouin
Rachel
R
Reif
Susan
S
Amana
Arit
A
Rowland
Benjamin J
BJ
Lombard
Frank
F
Stringfield
Beth
B
Muir
Andrew J
AJ
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