Changes in Patientsʼ Knowledge and Perception of Hepatitis C Infection in the United States: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES): 361

Purpose: Chronic hepatitis C infection affects liver and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. There has been a gradual decline in hepatitis C infection but this decline is not similar in all age groups. This disparity may be due to lack of awareness of their infection or access to treatment. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of the survey data of patients who tested positive for hepatitis C infection and interviewed during NHANES (2001-2001) and NHANES (2007-2008). We included all adult patients (18 years or older) who tested positive for hepatitis C antibody and were interviewed as a part of hepatitis C follow-up survey. Results: A total of 87 and 88 patients were found to have hepatitis C during the years 2001-2002 and 2007-2008, respectively. The number of patients who previously are aware of hepatitis C was higher in 2007-2008 compared to 2001-2002 (94% vs. 71%, respectively) (P<0.001). Patients' understanding of hepatitis C transmission has decreased with a higher number of patients believing that hepatitis C could be transmitted from shaking hands (16% (2007-2008) vs. 7% (2001-2002); a lower number of patients understood that injecting drugs transmitted hepatitis C (75% (2007-2008) vs.83% (2001-2002) (P<0.005). There was overall improvement in number of patients who had received liver biopsy (68% (2007-2008) vs. 19% (2001-2002) (P