KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS OF HEPATITIS B AMONG STUDENTS OF A PUBLIC SECTOR UNIVERSITY

摘要

OBJECTIVE: To determine the level of knowledge and awareness of hepatitis-B infection among students of a public sector university. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional observational study. PLACE AND DURATION: The study was conducted among students of Center for Physical Education Health & Sports Science, University of Sindh, Jamshoro from 1st July to 31st December 2013. METHODOLOGY: Our tool of data collection was a self-administered questionnaire which assessed basic knowledge of hepatitis B, its modes of transmission, prevention, treatment, sequel and practices and attitudes towards patients with HBV infection. The questionnaire was distributed to the students in the class and they were asked to fill it according to their knowledge without guessing. Data gathered was analyzed by SPSS V. 18. RESULTS: A total of 100 students with mean age 21 years (SD ±1.524) took part in this survey. Majority of our students have heard about hepatitis (95%) and a large number of them knew that blood transfusion and re use of syringes (78%) are the main sources of transmission. Interestingly, a reasonable number of students (32%) thought hepatitis B could spread through hug, cough and sneeze of a patient. About half of them were aware that a vaccine is available against HBV. Approximately 70% of the group believed that sterilized syringes and screened blood for HBV should be used to prevent these infections. The mean scores were 66.1%, 42% and 65.4% regarding basic knowledge, transmission and practices about hepatitis, respectively. CONCLUSION: Student's level of knowledge and awareness about hepatitis B was lacking. They had some misconceptions about disease transmission and treatment which has to be addressed.