Knowledge of and interest in hepatitis C treatment at a methadone clinic

This study describes knowledge about hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and interest in treatment among 110 opiate dependent patients from an opiate dependence treatment program in San Francisco. None had been treated for HCV and only 30% had been evaluated for HCV treatment. While only 34% knew about HCV treatment, 54% of the sample became “definitely interested” in HCV treatment after hearing the risks and benefits. Men were approximately five times more likely than women to know of some HCV treatment. Whites were seven times and Latinos were about six times more likely than African-Americans to know about HCV treatment. Our findings suggest that methadone programs can play an important role in increasing access to HCV treatment through educating patients about treatment options.