2015 Mercury : 1392BE15NP

Objective measure the awareness and knowledge about the Hepatitis C virus among the Belgian population transmission prevention treatment Mercury : 1392BE15NP

Belgian population years old Quota Age Gender Region CAWI FROM: 21/04/2015 TO: 24/04/ pilars: Transmission Prevention Treatment n=1000 Mercury : 1392BE15NP

1. Knowledge about HCV transmission Mercury : 1392BE15NP

Base:Total sample (n=1000) Question:Q1. Do you know the ways in which the Hepatitis C virus is transmitted? ABCD:95% significance level Ways of HCV transmission – Stated awareness 54%47% yes NO Mercury : 1392BE15NP

Base:Total sample (n=1000) Question:Q2. Could you, for each statement about the ways in which the Hepatitis C virus can be transmitted, indicate whether you think this is true or false? ABCD:95% significance level Statements on HCV transmission - Overview Sharing of needles and syringes Blood transfusions Vaginal sexual contact during menstruation Tattoos Piercing Cleaning up other people`s blood Sharing of razors and nail scissors Common use of filters, spoons and water, the consumption of drugs Common use of devices for smoking or inhaling (pipe, reed or mouthpiece) Mercury : 1392BE15NP

Base:Total sample (n=1000) Question:Q2. Could you, for each statement about the ways in which the Hepatitis C virus can be transmitted, indicate whether you think this is true or false? ABCD:95% significance level Statements on HCV transmission - Overview Handshakes Food Common use of toilets Sneezing Sharing of a cigarette Joint use of cutlery (fork, knife, spoon) Mouth-to-mouth respiration Common use of a toothbrush Oral sexual contact Mercury : 1392BE15NP

Base:Total sample (n=1000) Question:Q6. Could you, for each statement about Hepatitis C and its treatment, indicate whether you think this is true or false? ABCD:95% significance level true false Statements on HCV infection - Overview Regular consumption of alcohol disinfects the liver and softens the `seriousness` of the virus All persons with Hepatitis C Virus have jaundice Persons who take drugs, or follow a treatment with substitutes, are not treated against the Hepatitis C virus The names of individuals with Hepatitis C are communicated to the Federal Public Health Individuals with the Hepatitis C virus cannot work in a kitchen, f.e. for the preparation of food Mercury : 1392BE15NP

2. Knowledge about HCV prevention Mercury : 1392BE15NP

Base:Total sample (n=1000) Question:Q3. Do you know how to avoid being infected with the Hepatitis C virus? ABCD:95% significance level. 64% YES NO 36% Avoiding Hepatitis C – Stated awareness Mercury : 1392BE15NP

Base:Total sample (n=1000) Question:Q4. Could you, for each statement about how to avoid the Hepatitis C virus, indicate whether you think this is true or false? ABCD:95% significance level Taking in vitamin C To cook / bake food for at least 15 min Treating injuries with an ointment Avoiding physical contacts Washing one’s hands Vaccinating against hepatitis Statements on HCV prevention - Overview Mercury : 1392BE15NP

3. Knowledge about HCV treatment Me rcury : 1392BE15NP

Base:Total sample (n=1000) Question:Q5. Is, in your opinion, Hepatitis C curable? ABCD:95% significance level. 45%55% YES NO Hepatitis C : a curable disease ? Mercury : 1392BE15NP

Base:Total sample (n=1000) Question:Q6. Could you, for each statement about Hepatitis C and its treatment, indicate whether you think this is true or false? ABCD:95% significance level Statement on HCV treatment - Overview true False After a successful treatment of Hepatitis C, one can be infected again If hepatitis C is treated properly, the risk of cirrhosis, and even liver cancer is decreased The treatment of Hepatitis C has side-effects A proper treatment of Hepatitis C decreases the need for liver transplants Hepatitis C in co-infection with HIV can be treated together Mercury : 1392BE15NP

Belgians in general do not feel well informed about HCV - less than half think that they have knowledge about the transmission and prevention of the Hepatitis C virus no specific group can be identified having remarkably better understanding. No specific differences exist between the knowledge of residents of Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels. Communicating the specifics of HCV is a relevant topic. On one hand, most Belgians feel that they have limited knowledge about the disease, on the other, important aspects are commonly misunderstood. Executive summary Mercury : 1392BE15NP