Correlates of subjective hepatitis C knowledge among clinical staff in US drug treatment programs

Aim: To describe the level of subjective hepatitis C virus (HCV) knowledge among clinical staffs included in methadone maintenance treatment programs and explore how different factors are correlated with their subjective knowledge. Subjects and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among staffs from three methadone maintenance treatment organizations in the USA from 2013 to 2014. Using data from 102 clinical staffs (72.55% female and 27.45% male), we performed descriptive analysis and linear regression models with and without adjusting for staff social demographics, HCV-related factors, and program-related characteristics. Results: Staffs included in treatment programs had a moderate level of subjective knowledge related to HCV. The mean knowledge score was 2.40 ± 0.82 (SD) out of 4.00. A higher level of subjective HCV knowledge was associated with higher awareness of HCV testing-related training, more learning resources, and more discussion of HCV-related topics during staff meetings. Other program-level factors associated with a higher level of subjective HCV knowledge included information sharing being encouraged in the facility and having a forum to meet with and learn from clients. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the need to improve subjective HCV knowledge among staffs included in methadone maintenance treatment programs. There is also a need for more comprehensive examination of factors at different levels associated with HCV knowledge among them.