Provision of hepatitis C education in a nationwide sample of drug treatment programs

J Drug Educ. 2003;33(1):107-17. doi: 10.2190/YEGL-GX4W-HGRA-EDC7.

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has reached epidemic proportions among drug users, and drug programs are in a unique position to provide each of their patients with HCV education. Using a nationwide sample (N = 434) of drug treatment programs, we report the results of a logistic regression analysis that differentiates programs providing HCV education to all of their patients versus programs that do not. Fifty-four percent of the programs provide HCV education to all of their patients. Programs are about four and a half times as likely to provide HCV education to all patients if they dispense methadone; almost four times as likely to provide this service if they educate most of their staff about HCV; twice as likely if they are residential; and almost twice as likely if they conduct HIV testing on-site. Our findings indicate that there is a need to increase HCV educational services in drug treatment programs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Health Care Surveys
  • Health Services Research
  • Hepatitis C / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Logistic Models
  • Patient Education as Topic / organization & administration*
  • Patient Education as Topic / statistics & numerical data
  • Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / organization & administration*
  • Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / statistics & numerical data
  • Substance-Related Disorders / rehabilitation*
  • United States