BackgroundHepatitis C (HCV) knowledge is limited in injection drug users (IDU). Vulnerable populations including IDUs are disproportionally affected by HCV. Effective HCV education can potentially reduce disparity in HCV prevalence and its outcome in this population.AimThis study aimed to assess the impact of formal HCV education and factors associated with improved HCV knowledge in the vulnerable population.MethodsOver 18 months, 201 HCV-infected patients underwent a 2-h standardized education and completed demographic and pre- and post-education questionnaires.ResultsPatient characteristics were: 69% male, mean age 49 ± 10, 49% White (26% AA, 10% Latino), 75% unemployed, 83% high school education and above, 64% were IDU, and 7% were HIV co-infected. On multivariate analysis, baseline knowledge scores were higher in patients with at least a high school education (coef 7.1, p = 0.045). Baseline knowledge scores were lower in African Americans (coef −12.3, p = 0.004) and older patients (coef −0.7, p = 0.03). Following HCV education, the overall test scores improved significantly by 14% (p = 0.0001) specifically in the areas of HCV transmission (p = 0.003), general knowledge (p = 0.02), and health care maintenance (p = 0.004). There was a high compliance with liver specialty clinic attendance following education.ConclusionsFormal HCV education is effective in improving HCV knowledge. Although White race, younger age, and higher education were predictors of having more HCV knowledge prior to education, all patients independent of racial background had a significant improvement in their knowledge after education. Therefore, promoting effective HCV education among vulnerable populations may be an important factor in reducing the disparities in HCV disease.

Background and Aims Formal HCV education improves HCV knowledge but the impact on treatment uptake and outcome is not well described. We aimed to evaluate the impact of formal HCV patient education on primary provider-specialist HCV comanagement and treatment. Methods Primary care providers within the San Francisco safety-net health care system were surveyed and the records of HCV-infected patients before and after institution of a formal HCV education class by liver specialty (2006–2011) were reviewed retrospectively. Results Characteristics of 118 patients who received anti-HCV therapy were: mean age 51, 73% males, and ~50% White and uninsured. The time to initiation of HCV treatment was shorter among those who received formal education (median 136 vs. 284 days, p<0.0001). When controlling for age, gender, race, and HCV viral load, non-1 genotype (OR 6.17, 95%CI 2.3–12.7, p=0.0003) and receipt of HCV education (OR 3.0, 95%CI 1.1–7.9, p=0.03) were associated with sustained virologic treatment response. Among 94 provider respondents (response rate=38%), mean age was 42, 62% were White, and 63% female. Most providers agreed that the HCV education class increased patients’ HCV knowledge (70%), interest in HCV treatment (52%), and provider-patient communication (56%). A positive provider attitude (Coef 1.5, 95%CI 0.1–2.9 percent, p=0.039) was independently associated with referral rate to education class. Conclusions Formal HCV education expedites HCV therapy and improves virologic response rates. As primary care provider attitude play a significant role in referral to HCV education class, improving provider knowledge will likely enhance access to HCV specialty services in the vulnerable population.

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