Hepatitis C virus-related knowledge and willingness to receive treatment among patients on methadone maintenance.

ABSTRACT:

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, wh

SUBMITTER: Zeremski M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4747636 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul-Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature