The Open General & Internal Medicine Journal

2007, 1 : 1-5
Published online 2007 July 17. DOI: 10.2174/1874076600701010001
Publisher ID: TOGMJ-1-1

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Knowledge About Hepatitis C

Stacey B. Trooskin , Maricruz Velez , Simona Rossi , Steven K. Herrine , Robert Winn , David J. Axelrod , A. Scott McNeal and Victor J. Navarro
Thomas Jefferson University, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 132 South 10th Street, Suite 480 Main Building, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to characterize knowledge of HCV, specifically in an urban, minority population.

Methods:

New patients, 18 or older, were prospectively enrolled at four primary care practices in Philadelphia. Demographics were ascertained and a survey was administered, querying HCV knowledge. Log-linear regression was used to assess the relationship between race and knowledge, measured by percentage of correct answers.

Results:

There were 1657 patients enrolled in this study. Whites were most likely to choose the correct answers; Hispanics were least likely to answer questions correctly, irrespective of age and education level (p`0.0001). US born Hispanics (including those born in PR) and Blacks had a similar HCV knowledge. Non-US born Hispanics knew significantly less than their US born counterparts (p=.0005), even after adjusting for education and age. Non-US born Hispanics living in the US for 5 years or more had greater knowledge of HCV than individuals who have been living in the US for less than 5 years.

Conclusion:

In this urban population, Blacks and Hispanics knew significantly less than whites about HCV; Hispanics born outside the United States and PR have even greater knowledge deficits.