246303 Impact of knowledge on perceptions of susceptibility to HAV and HBV infection among methadone maintenance patients

Monday, October 31, 2011

Jessica Hall, BS , Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Sandra Larios, PhD, MPH , Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Kevin L. Delucchi, PhD , Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Jenna Ferrara, BA , Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Nicholas Hengl, BA , Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Carmen L. Masson, PhD , Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Mandana Khalili, MD , Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
James L. Sorensen, PhD , Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Stephen Dominy, MD , Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Don C. Des Jarlais, PhD , Chemical Dependency Institute, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY
Courtney McKnight, MPH , Baron Edmond de Rothschild Chemical Dependency Institute, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY
Ashly E. Jordan, BA , Baron Edmond de Rothschild Chemical Dependency Institute, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY
Christopher Young, BA , Baron Edmond de Rothschild Chemical Dependency Institute, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY
David C. Perlman, MD , Baron Edmond de Rothschild Chemical Dependency Institute, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY
  
Aim: Drug users (DUs) are at high risk for hepatitis A (HAV) and hepatitis B (HBV) through drug and sexual behaviors, yet vaccination rates remain low. Perceptions of susceptibility to infection may influence vaccination acceptance. We examined whether knowledge regarding hepatitis prevention and treatment would alter susceptibility perceptions among methadone maintenance (MM) patients.

Methods: DUs were recruited from MM clinics in San Francisco and New York City as part of a randomized hepatitis care coordination trial. Perceived susceptibility to and knowledge of HAV/ HBV infection were assessed at baseline and 3 months (3 MO). Between baseline and 3 MO, participants received 2 one-hour education sessions regarding prevention and treatment of hepatitis (A,B,C) and HIV. Pearson correlations examined the relationship between knowledge and perceptions of susceptibility to HAV and HBV. Results: Of the 314 DUs recruited, 36% were Caucasian, 29% African-American, 30% Hispanic, and 5% other race/ethnicity; majority were male (69%), and mean age was 44 (SD = 9.95). There was an overall increase in knowledge and perceived susceptibility from baseline to 3 MO for HAV (Knowledge: Mean = 19.17%, SD = 21.97; Susceptibility: Mean = 0.19, SD = 0.90) and HBV (Knowledge: Mean = 14.17%, SD = 20.42; Susceptibility: Mean = 0.27, SD = 1.03). Increases in hepatitis knowledge were positively correlated with increased perceptions of susceptibility to HAV (p<0.001) and HBV susceptibility (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Education through brief interventions can increase perceptions of susceptibility to HAV/HBV, which may increase vaccine acceptance and decrease risk of infection among susceptible DUs.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Advocacy for health and health education

Learning Objectives:
Describe the correlation between knowledge of viral hepatitis (A,B) and perceptions of susceptibility to these viruses. Identify ways to increase knowledge of hepatitis A and B among drug users.

Keywords: Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I have multiple years of experience working in substance use disorders research and am currently working with injection drug users at San Francisco General Hospital’s methadone treatment program. I have been trained in educating and counseling drug users in disease transmission and prevention for hepatitis viruses.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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