Table 2 Changes in HCV-related knowledge among clinicians
Questions (Answers) | 2021 (158) | 2023 (159) | χ2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Number | Rate (%) | Number | Rate (%) | P-value | |
1. What are the characteristics of hepatitis C? (B and C) | 93 | 58.861 | 149 | 93.711 | 53.289 |
 A. Most people have obvious symptoms | 30 | 18.987 | 5 | 3.145 |  |
 B. Develops into chronic hepatitis easily | 145 | 91.772 | 159 | 100 | < 0.001 |
 C. Develops into liver cirrhosis and cancer | 153 | 96.835 | 158 | 99.371 |  |
 D. Vaccination can prevent hepatitis C infection | 43 | 27.215 | 10 | 6.289 |  |
 E. Unknown | 1 | 0.633 | 0 | 0 |  |
2. What are the transmission routes of hepatitis C? (A, C, and D) | 139 | 87.975 | 151 | 94.969 | 4.975 |
 A. Blood-borne transmission | 153 | 96.835 | 159 | 100 |  |
 B. Respiratory transmission | 5 | 3.165 | 1 | 0.629 | 0.026 |
 C. Sexual transmission | 150 | 94.937 | 153 | 96.226 |  |
 D. Maternal-neonatal transmission | 153 | 96.835 | 159 | 100 |  |
 E. Transmission through the digestive tract | 10 | 6.329 | 1 | 0.629 |  |
 F. Unknown | 1 | 0.6333 | 0 | 0 |  |
3. Who are the people at high risk for HCV infection? (A, B, C, D, F, G, and H) | 85 | 53.797 | 150 | 94.340 | 67.927 |
 A. Those with a history of intravenous drug addiction | 153 | 96.835 | 159 | 100 |  |
 B. Paid blood donors | 129 | 81.646 | 159 | 100 | < 0.001 |
 C. Multiple sexual companions | 147 | 93.038 | 159 | 100 |  |
 D. Men who have sex with men | 137 | 86.709 | 156 | 98.113 |  |
 E. Those sharing tableware with patients with hepatitis C | 32 | 20.253 | 6 | 3.774 |  |
 F. Those with exposure of mucous membranes to contaminated blood | 153 | 96.835 | 159 | 100 |  |
 G. Those with tattoos and pierced ears | 150 | 94.937 | 152 | 95.597 |  |
 H. Those with a history of iatrogenic exposure such as surgery and dialysis | 152 | 96.203 | 157 | 98.742 |  |
 J. Unknown | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |  |
4. What is the basis of diagnosis for confirmed cases of hepatitis C? (A) | 145 | 91.772 | 158 | 99.371 | 10.84 |
 A. HCV RNA-positive | 145 | 91.772 | 158 | 99.371 |  |
 B. Anti-HCV-positive | 9 | 5.696 | 1 | 0.629 | 0.001 |
 C. None of the above | 2 | 1.266 | 0 | 0 |  |
 D. Unknown | 2 | 1.266 | 0 | 0 |  |
5. What period of infection is defined as chronic HCV infection? (B) | 133 | 84.177 | 153 | 96.226 | 13.041 |
 A. Persistent infection exceeding three months | 17 | 10.759 | 3 | 1.887 |  |
 B. Persistent infection exceeding six months | 133 | 84.177 | 153 | 96.226 | < 0.001 |
 C. Persistent infection exceeding 12 months | 7 | 4.430 | 3 | 1.887 |  |
 D. Unknown | 1 | 0.633 | 0 | 0 |  |
6. What are the processes for the management of patients with hepatitis C after the diagnosis? (A, B, and D) | 106 | 67.089 | 141 | 88.679 | 21.471 |
 A. Reporting of infectious diseases | 153 | 96.835 | 159 | 100 |  |
 B. Clinically diagnosed cases require HCV RNA testing | 153 | 96.835 | 159 | 100 | < 0.001 |
 C. Do not intervene unless there is any discomfort | 52 | 32.911 | 15 | 9.434 |  |
 D. Refer cases to the liver clinic for antiviral therapy | 133 | 84.177 | 159 | 100 |  |
 E. Unknown | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |  |
7. What is the most effective treatment for hepatitis C? (D) | 82 | 51.899 | 134 | 84.277 | 38.268 |
 A. Reduce liver enzyme levels | 3 | 1.899 | 0 | 0 |  |
 B. Traditional Chinese treatment | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | < 0.001 |
 C. Ribavirin and interferon | 70 | 44.304 | 25 | 15.723 |  |
 D. DAAs | 82 | 51.899 | 134 | 84.277 |  |
 E. Unknown | 2 | 1.266 | 0 | 0 |  |
8. Has the country included drugs for HCV treatment in the medical insurance? (A) | 146 | 92.405 | 159 | 100 | 12.551 |
 A. Yes | 146 | 92.405 | 159 | 100 |  |
 B. No | 9 | 5.696 | 0 | 0 | < 0.001 |
 C. Unknown | 3 | 1.899 | 0 | 0 |  |