Hepatitis C Prevention for Young Adults: Understanding Gender Differences and Risk Factors

Abstract

Purpose: Physicians, residents, and medical students at Emory, George Washington University, University of Arizona, and the University of Virginia recently organized a new national health education campaign aimed at teaching adolescents and young adults about Hepatitis C prevention. We hoped to determine whether any gender differences existed with respect to Hepatitis C knowledge, IV drug use, self-made tattoos and razor sharing, condom usage, or preferences for multimedia health education techniques. We sought to create Hepatitis C prevention programs that would resonate with adolescents and young adults through the use of multimedia messages delivered by rock and hip-hop musicians. Methods: A national online survey was created and administered on www.surveymonkey.com between 2006-2008. We conducted internet and paper surveys at both public and private universities, movie theaters, and bars to identify which music celebrities young adults trust to present accurate health information about Hepatitis C prevention. We also determined the most preferred multimedia education methods for each gender. Survey items were written by medical students, physicians, and public health experts on our national medical advisory board. Recruitment of 3,468 survey responders occurred via posters and emails to entire university student bodies. All paper and online survey responders in the study agreed to an informed consent form and filled out demographic info. Survey response options were jumbled at random to prevent order bias. A sampling of the college campuses that participated included: University of Georgia, Georgia State, Morehouse, Spelman, University of Florida, Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Virginia, University of Maryland, NYU, University of Texas, University of Arizona, UCLA, and UC Berkeley. Results: Dave Matthews, U2, and Will Smith were selected as the most trusted rock and hip-hop musicians to teach the public about Hepatitis C prevention. Short films and flash animation were selected as the two most preferred multimedia strategies. Survey responders also suggested compelling storylines about Hepatitis C prevention for us to film. Eighty-two percent of responders believed that entertaining short films should be used to empower adults to avoid IV drug use, use condoms, and find safe tattoo parlors. Conclusion: This research fine-tuned plans for our national health education concert tour, health education website, prevention posters, and short films created by young directors in Hollywood. We better understand gender differences in Hepatitis C risk factors among young adults. This research revealed which multimedia prevention interventions will empower each gender to avoid IV drug use, razor sharing, and tattoo needle sharing.