Undergraduate student nurses’ knowledge, attitudes and practices of Hepatitis C: Results from
a community college in Vancouver, British Columbia
Denise Thomas, MHS, BSN, RN; Kim Lam, Ph.D.

Background

Results

Despite all of the advancements in chronic
hepatitis C (HCC) treatment, 44% of people
living with CHC are unaware of their status
(Trubnikov et al, 2011). Diagnosis of
asymptomatic Hepatitis C (HCV) is necessary for
early identification which can present the options
for self determined linkage to care and treatment;
important to prevent disease progression to end
stage liver disease, cancer and death.

A total of 137 respondents to the questionnaire;
with a ratio of 13.8% male nursing students and
85.7% female nursing students. Results showed
that 87%% (2017) and 84.3% (2018) believe that
HIV is more transmissible than HCV;
respondents answering either “I don’t know,” or
were uncertain. Questions regarding prevention
were shockingly low (see graph below),
knowledge regarding where to access HCV
information was also low; 78.5% (2017) and
78.6% stated “I don’t know,” or were uncertain.
87.7% (2017) and 78.6% (2018) of students
stated that they did not know if someone can
have antibodies without being HCV positive.
However 91.4% (2018) and 95.4% (2017) are
well aware that HCV contributes to progression
of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Knowledge
Mother to Child Transmission
Comparison: HCV is vertically transmitted( true)
100

89.2

90

80

70

62.3
Percentage of Students

60

50

40

30.8

17.14

20

Conclusion

17.14

10

1.5
0

Agree

Neutral
2017-03

Disagree

2018-02

The role of Hepatitis C in HCC
Comparison: HCC progress from HCV
100

89.2

90

85.7

80

70

Purpose

Stigma by health care providers can contribute to
lack of engagement, trust, adherence to
appointments and treatment. While universal
precautions are standard of practice, more than
half of respondents in both cohorts prefer to
double glove (41.5% in 2017 and 37.5% in 2018)
and 15.4% (2017) and 7.1% (2018) are
undecided.

30

Percentage of students

Several studies have shown that awareness of
HCV is a major barrier to early diagnosis which
remains low in the general public and health care
professionals. While nurses represent the
largest proportion of the health care workforce in
Canada the supply of Registered Nurses (RN) is
285,482 and Nurse Practitioners (NP) is 4,540
(CIHI, 2016). The likelihood that RNs and NPs
to encounter someone living with CHC who is
undiagnosed may be relevantly high.

Stigma

60

50

40

30

The purpose of this study was to perform a
voluntary knowledge, attitudes and practice
evaluation of Hepatitis C among final year
undergraduate nursing students at Langara
College, Vancouver BC.

20

10

4.3

3.1
0

6.2

Agree

5.7

Neutral
2017-03

Disagree

2018-02

Method

While respondents were knowledgeable about
HCV; there are major gaps in basic knowledge.
We acknowledge the small sample size and
appreciate the fact that a portion of the
respondents may have limited time to complete
the questionnaire. Changes to address the
preparation of the new nursing workforce is
needed such as: information, education and
communication to increase awareness and
knowledge about HCV. Looking at integration
hepatitis C into the undergraduate nursing
curricula including prevention, treatment and
cure of HCV may contribute to prevention and
contribute towards international goals of
elimination of HCV by 2030 and to ensure new
nursing graduates would have the knowledge
skill and judgement.

References
Double gloving
Comparison: Would prefer to wear 2 layers of gloves when caring for someone who is
bleeding and HCV positive

Comparison: Can have HCV antibodies without being infected(true)
60

60

52.3

52.9

50

50

42.9

35.7

30

35.7

15.4
12.9

12.3

10

10

0
Agree

Neutral
2017-03

2018-02

Disagree

1.Trubnikov M, Yan P, Archibald C. Estimated
Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus infection in
Canada, 2011. Canada Communicable Disease
Report: Volume 40-19, December 18, 2014.
Available at: http://www.phacaspc.gc.ca/publicat/ccdr-rmtc/14vol40/dr-rm4019/surveillance-b-eng.php

30

20

20

CONTACT: Denise Thomas, MHS, BSN, RN, dthomas@langara.ca

Percentage of students

40

35.4

0

43.1

41.5

40

Percentage of students

Two cohorts in 2017 and 2018 were offered an
anonymous questionnaire containing 15 multiple
choice questions assessing knowledge,
awareness, attitudes and practices of HCV;
administered to enrolled undergraduate nursing
students at Langara College; approved by Ethics
Review Board to two (2) cohorts; educational
resources were provided to one cohort following
the questionnaire.

HCV Antibody

7.1

Agree

Neutral
2017-03

2018-02

Disagree

2. CIHI, 2016: Health Workforce Database,
Canadian Institute for Health Information. - See
more at: https://www.cna-aiic.ca/en/nursingpractice/the-practice-of-nursing/health-humanresources/nursingstatistics/canada#sthash.p7VrUBpw.dpuf