Effects of Health Literacy and HCV Knowledge on HCV Treatment Willingness in HIV-coinfected Patients

Effects of Health Literacy and Hepatitis C Knowledge on Hepatitis C Treatment Willingness in HIV-coinfected Patients, According to Hepatitis C Treatment Referral Status

A clinical observational study for patients with HIV co-infected with hepatitis C that investigates the levels of their health literacy, hepatitis C and HIV knowledge. Participants will complete a one-time assessment of these studied domains and categorized in three groups defined by their hepatitis C treatment referral status: not-referred, referred-attended, referred and no-show.

The main purpose of this research study is to investigate the prevalence of inadequate health literacy and hepatitis C knowledge and their determinants among people living with HIV/AIDS co-infected with hepatitis C. The observation will determine if health literacy and/or hepatitis C knowledge are predictors of patient willingness and intention to be treated for HCV in the overall cohort and stratified according to study groups as noted above.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Any adult (≥ 18 years) HIV-infected patient attending the UCSD Owen Clinic
• Regardless of ethnic background
• English or Spanish speaking
• With active HCV infection defined as having a detectable HCV viral load with or without a positive HCV antibody

Exclusion Criteria:

• Neurocognitive impairment precluding participation
• Physical illness precluding participation