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.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/SMJ.0b013e3181e1dde1 | DOI Listing |
Open Forum Infect Dis
January 2025
Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Background: The burden of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related hospitalizations is substantial, particularly among people with HIV and HCV. In Ontario, Canada, use of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) increased following policies removing fibrosis-stage restrictions and approving of pangenotypic agents in 2017 and 2018, respectively. We examined the impact of expanded DAA access on HCV-related hospitalizations in people with HIV.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Epidemiol
January 2025
Department of Statistics, College of Natural and Computational Science, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia.
Background: There is limited evidence on prevalence and risk factors for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among waste handlers in Sidama region, Ethiopia; however, this knowledge is necessary for effective prevention of HCV infection in the region.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly selected waste collectors from October 2021 to 30 July 2022 in different public hospitals of Sidama region of Ethiopia. Serum samples were collected from participants and screened for anti-HCV using rapid immunochromatography assay.
PLoS One
January 2025
Volta Regional Health Directorate, Ghana Health Service, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana.
Background: Hepatitis B and C viral (HBV and HCV) infections are endemic in Ghana. Also, the National Policy on Viral Hepatitis stipulates that there is unreliable data, limited knowledge, and a deficiency in research on viral hepatitis, especially among some high-risk workers in the eastern part of the country. This study therefore assessed the knowledge level and occupational practices of street beauticians and barbers in the transmission of HBV and HCV in the Volta Region of Ghana.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHealthcare (Basel)
December 2024
Center for Global Emergency Care, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21209, USA.
: Direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) have significantly reduced Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) transmission and improved health outcomes since their FDA approval in 2011. Despite these advances, over 70 million people remain untreated globally, with a disproportionately high burden in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). : Through a structured search of open access informational sources and an informal peer-reviewed literature review, HCV treatment barriers were identified, compiled, and analyzed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFViruses
December 2024
Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) disproportionately affects certain sub-populations, including people with experience of incarceration (PWEI). Little is known about how perceptions of HCV and treatment have changed despite simplifications in testing and treatment in carceral settings. Nineteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with people living with or having a history of HCV infection released from Quebec provincial prison.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!