Hepatitis C Knowledge Among Staff in U.S. Drug Treatment Programs

• NCJ Number: 216603
• Journal: Journal of Drug Education Volume: 36 Issue: 2 Dated: 2006 Pages: 141-158
• Author(s): Shiela M. Strauss Ph.D.; Janetta M. Astone-Twerell Ph.D.; Corrine Munoz-Plaza M.P.H; Don C. Des Jarlais Ph.D.; Marya Gwadz Ph.D.; Holly Hagan Ph.D.; Andrew Osborne M.S.; Andrew Rosenblum Ph.D.
• Date Published: 2006
• Length: 18 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2-R01 DA13409
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study investigated the hepatitis C virus (HCV) knowledge of staff in two drug-free and two methadone maintenance treatment programs (MMTPs) in New York.

Abstract

Results indicated that the majority of participating staff were unable to correctly answer 5 of 20 items on the HCV Knowledge Assessment. Total scores on the Assessment averaged 70 percent among the medically credentialed staff, 71 percent among non-medically credentialed staff in the MMTPs, and 45 percent among the medically credentialed staff in the drug-free programs. Most of the medically credentialed staff in the drug-free programs reported that they had never participated in a training devoted to HCV. The limited knowledge of HCV among drug-free treatment staff prevents the staff from supporting the needs of HCV infected patients and limits their ability to assist patients at risk for contracting HCV. If these results are able to be replicated among other drug treatment programs they indicate a pressing need for increased HCV training among drug treatment staff. Participants were 104 staff and 4 directors working in 2 MMTPs and 2 drug-free treatment programs in the New York metropolitan area. Directors of each program were interviewed using a computer-assisted telephone survey that gathered information about the organization, the staff and patients, and HCV-related programming. Participating staff completed self-administered surveys regarding their personal and professional characteristics, HCV knowledge, attitudes toward HCV, awareness of HCV services offered in their programs, and their perceptions of organizational competency in helping patients with HCV. Statistical data analysis focused on chi-square calculations and ANOVAs or t-tests. Limitations of the study are discussed and include its use of a convenience sample of drug treatment programs in New York. Tables, references