Lack of awareness and perception of transmission in hepatitis C: Breaking points in access to diagnosis and treatment

Öz

Background and Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the awareness, perceptions of transmission routes, treatment history, and interaction with primary healthcare services among individuals infected with hepatitis C virus. Materails and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 at a tertiary center in the Western Mediterranean region of Turkey. A total of 359 anti- hepatitis C virus positive individuals aged over 18 were included. Structured face-to-face interviews were performed using a standardized questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Results: Among the participants, 62.7% had hepatitis C virus RNA positivity, yet 42.2% of this group had never received treatment. Of the untreated patients, 83.2% reported no knowledge about hepatitis C. Misconceptions regarding transmission routes were widespread, and the involvement of family physicians in hepatitis C virus screening was limited. Although 75.7% of participants knew their family physician, only 7.8% had been tested for hepatitis by them. Conclusion: Awareness and access to treatment for hepatitis C virus in Turkey remain insufficient. Integration of primary care services into the hepatitis C virus care cascade, public awareness campaigns, and widespread implementation of reflex hepatitis C virus RNA testing are crucial for achieving national elimination goals.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Hepatitis C
• awareness
• primary health care
• communicable diseases

Hepatit C’de bulaşma algısı ve farkındalık eksikliği: Tanı ve tedaviye erişimde kırılma noktaları

Öz

Giriş ve Amaç: Bu çalışma, hepatit C virüs enfeksiyonu olan bireylerin hastalık farkındalığı, bulaşma yollarına dair algıları, tedavi öyküleri ve birinci basamak sağlık hizmetleriyle temas düzeylerini değerlendirmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Gereç ve Yöntem: 2023 yılında Batı Akdeniz bölgesindeki bir üçüncü basamak merkezde yürütülen tanımlayıcı, kesitsel araştırmaya 18 yaş üzeri 359 anti- hepatit C virüs pozitif birey dahil edilmiştir. Katılımcılarla yüz yüze yapılandırılmış anket uygulanmış; veriler SPSS ile analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular: Katılımcıların %62.7’sinde hepatit C virüs RNA pozitifliği saptanmış, ancak bu grubun %42.2’si tedavi almamıştır. Tedavi almayan hastaların %83.2’si hepatit C hakkında hiçbir bilgiye sahip değildir. Ayrıca bulaşma yolları konusunda yaygın yanlış inanışlar ve aile hekimlerinin hepatit C virüs tarama sürecine sınırlı katkısı gözlenmiştir. Aile hekimini tanıyanların yalnızca %7.8’ine hepatitle ilgili test önerilmiştir. Sonuç: Türkiye’de hepatit C virüs farkındalığı ve tedaviye erişim hâlâ yetersizdir. Birinci basamak sağlık hizmetlerinin sürece entegrasyonu, toplum temelli eğitim kampanyaları ve refleks hepatit C virüs RNA test stratejilerinin yaygınlaştırılması, hepatit C virüs eliminasyonu hedefi için kritik önemdedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Hepatit C
• farkındalık
• temel sağlık hizmeti
• bulaşıcı hastalıklar

Kaynakça

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