Knowledge of HCV Infection Among Nursing Students of the Medical College of Bitola

Abstract

Healthcare workers are at risk of occupationally-acquired viral infections such as human immunodefi ciency virus (HIV), hepatitis B (HBV), and hepatitis C (HCV). HCV is parenterally transmitted and has been found in every part of the world. This cross-sectional study was conducted to establish the awareness and attitude about HCV infections among 210 full-time and part-time nursing students of the Medical College in Bitola, Macedonia 'from May to June 2009. For this purpose we used a self-administered questionnaire which consisted of three parts. The fi rst included demographic data, the second included questions about causes of infection, mode of transmission, symptoms, acute and chronic hepatitis, and prevention, and the third questions about students' attitude toward patients with suspect or confi rmed HCV infection. Full-time students showed higher HCV awareness (84 %) than part-time students (69 %). 58 % of the full-time and 79 % of the part-time students said they would not avoid professional contact with suspect or HCV infected patients. Our study has shown that even though both groups of students have a suffi cient knowledge about HCV to face future challenges, they need further education on the subject. Practical recommendations would help to reduce stigmatising behaviour still further. KEY WORDS: bloodborne pathogens, healthcare workers, occupational riskProdanovska-Stojčevska V, et al.

Assessment of Knowledge Regarding Hepatitis C Virus among Medical Students in a Tertiary Care

“…Regarding the mode of HCV transmission, our study has shown that the level of awareness among all the participants was very good. These findings are similar to findings reported by the study in the University of LOME students [11] and also in medical college. Bitola [10] and University of Dammam have also shown high level of awareness of HCV transmission [12].…”

Hepatitis C infection awareness among fourth year medical students at University of Dammam

“…These results were similar to findings reported by the study in University of Lome students. [14] In the Medical College of Bitola, students showed a high-level of awareness of HCV transmission,[13] and more than half of the medical students in medical colleges of Karachi, Pakistan, revealed excellent knowledge of HBV and HCV transmission. [12]…”

“…[11] However, the studies from medical colleges of Karachi[12] and Bitola in Macedonia[13] showed medical students' knowledge of HCV as satisfactory.…”

Medical and Nursing Students Perceived Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices concerning Human Immunodeficiency Virus

“…A study among Turkish nursing students found high levels of negative attitude and fear of contagion of HIV as a reason for being unwilling to care for HIV-infected patients [5]. A study among nursing students in Macedonia found that although most students had high level of HIV knowledge, a majority avoided people living with HIV (PLHIV) [6]. Another study among nursing students in Greece found that more than a third of the nursing students believe that mosquitoes can transmit HIV virus [7].…”