Assessing the Surveillance and Treatment of Perinatal Hepatitis C Transmission among Different Specialties in Arizona

Abstract

Hepatitis C is the most common chronic bloodborne infection in the United States as well as a leading cause of chronic liver disease. Recently, there has been increasing infections in younger people and women of childbearing age due mostly to the opioid epidemic. Among the many diseases that can pass vertically during pregnancy, hepatitis C is able to establish perinatal infections in approximately 5% of HCV-positive mothers. There is increasing evidence that many of these infections go undiagnosed and are lost to follow-up, putting children at risk of complications of hepatitis C at a young age. This study was designed to examine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of Arizona providers surrounding perinatal HCV infections through a Qualtrics survey. A difference was found between specialty guidelines, knowledge, and practices as it related to perinatal HCV. 6/30 (20%) FM providers, 5/10 (50%) Pediatric providers, and 14/23 (61%) OB/GYN providers correctly stated the vertical transmission rate of HCV. For antibody-based testing FM scored 4/30 correct, Pediatrics scored 8/10 correct, and Pediatric Infectious Disease scored 1/2 correct. 73.2% support universal prenatal screening for HCV as opposed to risk-based screening. 31% said they rarely or never ask about these risk factors for HCV. For OB/GYN providers 45% always counsel HCV-positive women about postpartum follow up for their child, 32% said they rarely or never do. In conclusion this survey showed a statewide deficiency in knowledge of screening and transmission of perinatal hepatitis C among certain specialties as well as a majority of respondents in favor of routine screening prenatally.