Changes in French people's misconceptions about hepatitis C, 1997–2003

The French health authorities instituted in 1999 a campaign to educate physicians, high-risk populations, and the public about hepatitis C (HC). To what extent has knowledge about HC increased among members of the French public? A convenience sample of 706 French adults, aged 18 to 87, completed in 2003 a questionnaire designed to assess their knowledge of HC. Their responses were compared to those in 1997 of a different group of French adults on an identical questionnaire. Between 1997 and 2003, knowledge significantly improved on 13 of the 26 items for which strong expert–public differences were found in 1997 and significantly worsened on 3 items. France's public education campaign led to only a limited increase in knowledge about HC. Further public education is needed.