Misperceptions among patients with chronic hepatitis B in Singapore

AIM: To identify the misperceptions among CHB patients, as well as to determine the factors associated with better knowledge. METHODS: A telephone interview was conducted on 192 adult CHB patients, who earlier responded to an advertisement for free screening. The questionnaire included items about socio-demographic factors and a 14-item quiz on knowledge of general aspects, transmission, and management of HBV infection. RESULTS: The mean knowledge score on HBV was 10.4/14. Common misperceptions included availability of treatment for HBV infection and early liver cancer, as well as on transmission. Having completed tertiary education was the only independent factor associated with a high knowledge score, after controlling other demographic factors. CONCLUSION: More educational efforts should be focused on patients' misperceptions and target the less educated HBV carriers. (C) 2005 The WJG Press and Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.