Hepatitis C Virus-Related Knowledge and Willingness to Receive Treatment Among Patients on Methadone Maintenance

作者：Zeremski Marija^*; Dimova Rositsa B; Zavala Roberto; Kritz Steven; Lin Melissa; Smith Bryce D; Zibbell Jon E; Talal Andrew H

来源：Journal of Addiction Medicine, 2014, 8(4): 249-257.

DOI：10.1097/ADM.0000000000000041

• drug treatment
• HCV education
• knowledge
• models of care for hepatitis C
• persons who inject drugs

Objectives: 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.

• 出版日期2014-8