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Journals / Akademik Gastroenteroloji Dergisi / 2025 / Cilt: 24 Sayı: 2

Lack of awareness and perception of transmission in hepatitis C: Breaking points in access to diagnosis and treatment

Gökhan Köker(Antalya Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, İç Hastalıkları Kliniği, Antalya)0000-0003-1745-8002
Muhammed Ali Coşkuner(Antalya Şehir Hastanesi, İç Hastalıkları Kliniği, Antalya)0000-0001-9203-2285
Merve Eren Durmuş(Antalya Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Gastroenteroloji Kliniği, Antalya)0000-0002-5847-6699
Yeşim Çekin(Antalya Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Mikrobiyoloji Kliniği, Antalya)
Ayhan Hilmi Çekin(Antalya Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Gastroenteroloji Kliniği, Antalya)0000-0001-7464-8297
Pages
64–74
Publication Date
2025-08-20
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Integration of primary care services into the hepatitis C virus care cascade, public awareness campaigns, and widespread implementation of reflex hepatitis C virus RNA testing are crucial for achieving national elimination goals.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Background and Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the awareness, perceptions of transmission routes, treatment history, and interaction with primary healthcare services among individuals infected with hepatitis C virus.
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Key Findings & Data:Materails and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 at a tertiary center in the Western Mediterranean region of Turkey.
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Conclusion & Impact:Integration of primary care services into the hepatitis C virus care cascade, public awareness campaigns, and widespread implementation of reflex hepatitis C virus RNA testing are crucial for achieving national elimination goals.
🔬Design:Survey & Empirical Study
📍Scope:2023 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Hepatit C · farkındalık · temel sağlık hizmeti

Abstract

Background and Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the awareness, perceptions of transmission routes, treatment history, and interaction with primary healthcare services among individuals infected with hepatitis C virus. Materails and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 at a tertiary center in the Western Mediterranean region of Turkey. A total of 359 anti- hepatitis C virus positive individuals aged over 18 were included. Structured face-to-face interviews were performed using a standardized questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Results: Among the participants, 62.7% had hepatitis C virus RNA positivity, yet 42.2% of this group had never received treatment. Of the untreated patients, 83.2% reported no knowledge about hepatitis C. Misconceptions regarding transmission routes were widespread, and the involvement of family physicians in hepatitis C virus screening was limited. Although 75.7% of participants knew their family physician, only 7.8% had been tested for hepatitis by them. Conclusion: Awareness and access to treatment for hepatitis C virus in Turkey remain insufficient. Integration of primary care services into the hepatitis C virus care cascade, public awareness campaigns, and widespread implementation of reflex hepatitis C virus RNA testing are crucial for achieving national elimination goals.

Özet

Giriş ve Amaç: Bu çalışma, hepatit C virüs enfeksiyonu olan bireylerin hastalık farkındalığı, bulaşma yollarına dair algıları, tedavi öyküleri ve birinci basamak sağlık hizmetleriyle temas düzeylerini değerlendirmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Gereç ve Yöntem: 2023 yılında Batı Akdeniz bölgesindeki bir üçüncü basamak merkezde yürütülen tanımlayıcı, kesitsel araştırmaya 18 yaş üzeri 359 anti- hepatit C virüs pozitif birey dahil edilmiştir. Katılımcılarla yüz yüze yapılandırılmış anket uygulanmış; veriler SPSS ile analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular: Katılımcıların %62.7’sinde hepatit C virüs RNA pozitifliği saptanmış, ancak bu grubun %42.2’si tedavi almamıştır. Tedavi almayan hastaların %83.2’si hepatit C hakkında hiçbir bilgiye sahip değildir. Ayrıca bulaşma yolları konusunda yaygın yanlış inanışlar ve aile hekimlerinin hepatit C virüs tarama sürecine sınırlı katkısı gözlenmiştir. Aile hekimini tanıyanların yalnızca %7.8’ine hepatitle ilgili test önerilmiştir. Sonuç: Türkiye’de hepatit C virüs farkındalığı ve tedaviye erişim hâlâ yetersizdir. Birinci basamak sağlık hizmetlerinin sürece entegrasyonu, toplum temelli eğitim kampanyaları ve refleks hepatit C virüs RNA test stratejilerinin yaygınlaştırılması, hepatit C virüs eliminasyonu hedefi için kritik önemdedir.

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Cite This Article

Köker, G., Coşkuner, M. A., Durmuş, M. E., Çekin, Y., Çekin, A. H. (2025). Lack of awareness and perception of transmission in hepatitis C: Breaking points in access to diagnosis and treatment. Akademik Gastroenteroloji Dergisi, Cilt: 24 Sayı: 2, 64–74. https://doi.org/10.17941/agd.1768632

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