Knowledge of Hepatitis, Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Screening Guidelines among Cirrhotic Patients at El- Ragehy Hospital, Assiut University

Purpose: To assess the knowledge of Hepatitis, HCC and HCC screening among cirrhotic patients presented at El-Ragehy Hospital, Assiut University.
Patients and Methods: This is a cross-sectional hospital- based study conducted from 1st November 2017 up to 30thJune 2019 at outpatient clinics of El-Ragehy Hospital, Assiut University. The study included 404 cirrhotic patients. Data were obtained using standardized questionnaire.
Results: Age of patients ranged from 36.0 to 79.0 with a mean of 58.91± 9.39 years. Male to female ratio was 1:1 and 70% of patients came from rural areas. More than 30% were not working and about 2/5th of patients (39.9%) were illiterate. Family income/month was 2000 Egyptian pounds in 69.3% of patients (more than 2/3 were below poverty line). Family history of HCC was reported in 15.10% of patients. For evaluating specific knowledge of hepatitis, HCC, and HCC screening guidelines, results showed that most patients were knowledgeable about mode of HBV and HCV transmission but dissatisfied level of knowledge about HCC, and HCC screening, with a median knowledge score of 4 (0 to 15). Knowledge was related to patients' demographics including age, residence, working job, level of education, and monthly income. Also it was related to family history of HCC, hepatitis or cirrhosis.
Conclusion: Promoting education in Upper Egypt and health education at all levels of health care delivery system could increase knowledge about HCC and HCC screening, as well as promoting screening adherence and earlier diagnosis.