title: Hepatitis C virus-related knowledge and willingness to receive treatment among patients on methadone maintenance.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although persons who inject drugs have high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, few receive treatment mostly because of lack of knowledge about the infection and its treatment. We assessed the level of HCV-related knowledge and willingness to participate in HCV treatment among methadone-maintained patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 30-item survey covering HCV-related knowledge and willingness to engage in HCV-related education and treatment was developed and completed by 320 methadone-maintained patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Respondents' mean age was 53 ± 8.7 years, 59.5% were male, 55.1% were African American, and 38.3% were Hispanic. The mean duration of methadone maintenance was 7 ± 6.7 years. In the preceding 6 months, 6.9% of patients reported injection drug use, whereas 37.3% used noninjection drugs. Hepatitis C virus seropositivity was self-reported by 46.3% of patients. The majority of patients (78%) expressed willingness to participate in HCV-related education and to receive HCV treatment. Most patients (54.7%) correctly answered 5 or more of 7 questions assessing HCV knowledge. Hepatitis C virus-seropositive individuals and prior attendees at HCV-related educational activities demonstrated a higher level of HCV-related knowledge (P < 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively). Younger patients (P = 0.014), those willing to attend an HCV-related educational activity (P < 0.001), and those with higher-HCV-related knowledge (P = 0.029) were more accepting of HCV treatment. Fear of medication-related side effects was the most common reason for treatment avoidance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of patients reported willingness to receive HCV-related education and treatment. Treatment willingness was significantly associated with previous attendance at an HCV educational activity and a higher level of HCV-related knowledge.
authors.affiliation: From the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (MZ, RBD, AHT), Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY; Department of Biostatistics (RBD), University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY; Addiction Research and Treatment Corporation (RZ, SK, ML), Brooklyn, NY; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (BDS, JEZ), Division of Viral Hepatitis, Atlanta, GA; and Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (AHT), Department of Medicine, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY.
authors.forename: Marija
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zeremski
authors.forename: Rositsa B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Dimova
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zavala
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kritz
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Bryce D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Jon E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Zibbell
authors.forename: Andrew H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Talal
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D058850:Opiate Substitution Treatment / Q000523:psychology*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D008691:Methadone