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Hepatitis C--knowledge & practices among the family physicians
1Department of Medicine, Dayanand Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana. ajitsood10@sify.com
Insights
Many family physicians in Punjab lack comprehensive knowledge about Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, including its diagnosis and management. Despite awareness of parenteral transmission, some continue unsafe practices like needle reuse, highlighting a need for increased physician education on HCV.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a significant global cause of end-stage liver disease.
- Family physicians are often the first point of contact for patients with potential HCV infections.
- Existing literature on HCV is extensive, but physician knowledge gaps persist.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the existing knowledge of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) among practicing family physicians in Punjab.
- To identify specific areas of deficiency in understanding HCV transmission, presentation, complications, and treatment.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire was mailed to 936 randomly selected family physicians across 7 districts in Punjab.
- The questionnaire assessed knowledge on HCV transmission, clinical aspects, complications, treatment, and common medical practices.
- Physicians' responses were collected anonymously.
Main Results:
- A low response rate of 28% (262 physicians) was observed.
- While 76% knew HCV is parenterally transmitted, 18% admitted to reusing needles/syringes.
- Only 58% recognized HCV as a common cause of acute viral hepatitis, and 72% knew diagnostic tests.
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion of family physicians in Punjab demonstrate knowledge gaps regarding HCV.
- Despite awareness of parenteral transmission, unsafe practices like needle reuse persist.
- Enhanced education and awareness programs are crucial for improving HCV management by primary care physicians.
Background:
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an important cause of end stage chronic liver disease worldwide. There is plethora of informations on hepatitis C virus in the recent hepatology related periodicals. However, family physicians to whom such patients initially present, should be aware of various aspects of hepatitis C virus infection. Therefore, the present study evaluated the information on hepatitis C virus known to practicing family physician in the state of Punjab.
Material & Methods:
Nine hundred thirty six family physicians were randomly selected from 7 districts of Punjab and were mailed a questionnaire designed to test their knowledge on HCV, its transmission, clinical presentation, complications and treatment. In addition, questions were asked to assess commonly employed mode of therapy for short duration illnesses and the practice of reusing syringes/needles. All question had unequivocal answer. The questionnaire reply was anonymous.
Results:
Only 28% (n = 262) doctors returned the questionnaire. The response to different sections of questionnaire was variable. Seventy six percent doctors (n = 176) were aware that HCV is parenterally transmitted. 18% (n = 41) doctors were still reusing needles and syringes. Fifty eight percent (n = 134) doctors considered hepatitis C as a common cause of acute viral hepatitis. Only 72% (n = 166) of doctors knew about the relevant tests for diagnosis of hepatitis C.
Conclusions:
Despite having knowledge about parenteral route of transmission of HCV infection, a sizeable proportion of family physicians in the Punjab state continues to reuse needles and syringes. Information on the virology, clinical presentation, diagnostic tests and management approaches were lacking among a substantial proportion of family physician. Therefore, awareness about HCV need to be increased among the practicing physicians.
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