Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Knowledge About Hepatitis C

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.