Chronic HCV Infection–Comparison of Awareness Regarding Mode of Transmission in Educated and Uneducated Patients Presenting in Gastroenterology/ Medical Clinics in Various Hospitals of Sindh Province

Abstract

Objective: To compare the awareness regarding the mode of transmission in educated and uneducated patients presenting to OPDs of five hospitals in Sindh province.
 Study Design: Cross-sectional survey.
 Place and Duration of Study: Five Combined Military Hospitals, of Sindh province; Badin, Chhor, Hyderabad, Malir and Pano Aqil, Pakistan, from April to July 2022.
 Methodology: Patients presenting to the five Combined Military Hospitals were included through non probability consecutive sampling technique. The questionnaire was reviewed by two medical education experts for content validity and piloted among ten patients before being tested. 
 Results: A total of 121 participants were included in the study. Participants had better knowledge regarding sharing of shaving equipment (p=0.008), unsafe blood transfusions (p<0.001), using contaminated surgical instruments in surgeries (p<0.001) and dental extractions (p=0.005) and sharing of needles (p<0.001) as potential sources of HCV spread. The disparity was quite clear by comparing the ratio of correct responses given by educated participants with uneducated.
 Conclusion: Our general public lacks basic information regarding modes of transmission of HCV, and the low level of education in the masses is one of the most important reasons.