Limited Awareness of HCV among Ophthalmic Patients in Nigeria

Background: The hepatitis C virus causes serious morbidity and mortality and is a global public health concern.

Aim: To ascertain adult patients’ awareness of hepatitis C in a specialist eye clinic in Anambra State, Nigeria.

Methods: A pretested, semi-structured questionnaire administered by interviewers and also self-administered by participants was used in this prospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study to ascertain the awareness of hepatitis C among adults visiting a specialist eye clinic in Anambra State, Nigeria. Descriptive variables and tests of significance were used in the analysis of data on socio demographics, awareness, and knowledge of hepatitis C. The COUTH Ethics committee granted ethical approval.

Results: Because they met the inclusion criteria, 264 people in total took part in this survey. With an age range of 20–87 years, there were 110 (41.7%) males and 154 (58.3%) females, with a ratio of 1:1.4. The average age was 60.6 +/- 14.8 years. The majority of the 149(56.4%) participants were unaware of HCV infection while 258 (97.8%) were unaware of the method by which HCV is spread.

Conclusion: In Nigeria, adult patients who visit eye clinics have low knowledge of hepatitis C.