Misperceptions among patients with chronic hepatitis B in Singapore

Table 1 Responses to hepatitis B knowledge questions (n = 192)

Statements (correct response)	Correct response (%)
General aspects of hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is infectious? (Yes)	165 (86)
Hepatitis B causes liver cancer in the long run (Yes)	173 (90)
Hepatitis B causes liver cirrhosis in the long run (Yes)	168 (88)
Hepatitis B carriers can be recognized easily from their	143 (75)
appearance (No)
Hepatitis B carriers can drink alcohol as much	180 (94)
as non-carriers (No)
Management of hepatitis B
Treatment is available for hepatitis B (Yes)	65 (34)
Early liver cancer causes symptoms (No)	62 (32)
Early liver cancer is curable (Yes)	133 (69)
My family members should be screened for hepatitis B (Yes)	185 (96)
Transmission of hepatitis B
Hepatitis B transmits through sexual intercourse (Yes)	171 (89)
Hepatitis B transmits through sharing of needles (Yes)	179 (93)
Hepatitis B transmits through sharing of food (No)	96 (50)
Hepatitis B transmits through taking seafood (No)	120 (63)
Hepatitis B transmits through childbirth (Yes)	165 (86)

Table 2 Factors associated with high and low scores on HBV knowledge

Factors	Low scores ( ≤9) n = 53	High scores (≥10) n = 139	Univariate analysis P	Multivariate analysis1P
Age (yr)	46±1	41±1	0.002	0.066
Male (%)	39 (74)	109 (78)	0.57
Chinese (%)	52 (98)	132 (97)	1.00
Monthly income ≥S$4 000 (%)	8 (15)	37 (27)	0.057	0.199
Family history of HBV (%)	19 (36)	48 (35)	0.87
Family history of HCC (%)	11 (21)	24 (17)	0.68
On regular follow-up (%)	61 (44)	78 (56)	0.91
Tertiary educated (%)	17 (32)	92 (66)	<0.001	0.005

¹Multivariate analysis using multiple regression analysis.