title: HCV and HBV testing acceptability and knowledge among urban emergency department patients and pharmacy clients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hepatitis C and hepatitis B are public health problems in the United States and remain largely undiagnosed. In response to the availability of rapid, point of care hepatitis tests, we assessed hepatitis knowledge and acceptability of hepatitis testing during an emergency department (ED) or pharmacy visit.
  
  
  METHODS
  From June 2010 to May 2011, an anonymous prospective survey was administered to a convenience sample of New York City ED patients and pharmacy clients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study population (N=2078) was 54% female, 36% Hispanic and 41% black. Mean age was 39, SD ± 15 years. The majority (72%;1480/2,2060) of the participants responded that they would get tested if free testing were offered, and 67% (1272/1912) of those responded that they would test for hepatitis B/C in conjunction with HIV. Participants who had previously tested for hepatitis had higher mean knowledge scores than those who had never tested. Pharmacy clients, those of black race, and those with higher mean knowledge scores would be more willing to accept hepatitis B/C testing if offered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Urban ED patients and pharmacy clients were receptive to hepatitis testing. Most individuals would elect to be tested for hepatitis with HIV, which raises the possibility of integrated testing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA; Department of Emergency Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA. Electronic address: Yvette.Calderon@nbhn.net.
authors.forename: Yvette
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Calderon
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA; Department of Emergency Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Ethan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cowan
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schramm
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Sam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stern
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brusalis
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iscoe
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Rajesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Verma
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine, Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA; Internal Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leider
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000191:economics; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D017664:Uncompensated Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Emergency medicine; HIV; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis C; Knowledge; Pharmacy