Awareness - A must for management of hepatitis C

Introduction: Hepatitis C is a pan global health problem and once goes into chronicity then leads to deadly complications of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Thus Chronic HCV has become universally, one of the most common cause of End stage liver disease and indication of Liver transplantation. Aim: The aim of study was to assess the awareness of Hepatitis C in patients suffering from it and reporting for treatment at Model treatment Centre (MTC), PGIMS, Rohtak. Material and Methods: This was a prospective study conducted over a period of five years i.e. 01.01.2017 to 01.01.2022 at MTC, PGIMS, Rohtak. Three thousand two hundred and ninety patients of Hepatitis C who were confirmed on ELISA (Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) and HCV RNA Quantitative test were enrolled in the study after proper consent. A multiple choice structured questionnaires about Hepatitis C was put to the patients and their responses were recorded by the team at MTC which included Gastroenterologist. The team assessed knowledge and awareness about hepatitis C infection, transmission and screening was the tool of data collection. Results: Most of the HCV patients were unaware about existence of hepatitis C infection, modes of transmission, and treatment. A direct positive correlation was found between education level and awareness, which reveals that patients with better knowledge and information had better attitudes toward the infection and prevention of hepatitis transmission. Conclusion: There is urgent and strong need for increasing the level of awareness about HCV infection not only in patients suffering from them but also among their family members and general society.