Knowledge of hepatitis B among healthy population: A community-based survey from two districts of Gujarat, India

Abstract

Background:Hepatitis B is the world's most common blood-borne viral infection, accounting for 2 billion infections, 350 million carriers, and 6 lakh deaths annually. Country like India still harbors approximately 30–60 million hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers. A modest estimate would put the number of deaths occurring due to HBV infection per year in India to around 100,000. To prevent transmission and progression of the disease, proper community awareness including prevention is necessary. Therefore, this study aims to study the knowledge awareness among the healthy population about hepatitis B including knowledge regarding vaccine.Methodology:A community-based cross-sectional study was undertaken in two districts of Gujarat. Cluster sampling (30 clusters) was used, and pretested questionnaire was administered to 600 (with a prevalence rate of 5% in Gujarat having design effect of 2 within 95% confidence interval and 10% nonrespondent) healthy individuals, who heard about hepatitis B. Data handled and analyzed in EpiData Analysis V2.2.2.183.Results:Majority of the participants knew about symptoms whereas only 41% knew about prevention methods and few 34% knew about the mode of transmission. Although 40% sample has knowledge about the availability of vaccination, only 20% were self-vaccinated. The common reason for nonvaccination was lack of awareness.Conclusions:Only one-third of the populations in study districts are aware about hepatitis B and its vaccine. Less than one-fifth of the populations are vaccinated for hepatitis B. Important knowledge deficits about the routes of hepatitis B transmission/prevention were identified. Continued efforts should be made to develop and implement hepatitis B educational campaigns/health promotion for these communities.

Be the Voice for Hepatitis B Awareness: A Community Based Report

“…In this study, 23.1% reported history of blood transfusion out of which 17.9% had transfusion after screening. This study demonstrates that only 10.3% were vaccinated for Hepatitis B while 89.7% were not vaccinated which is somewhat similar to a study conducted in India in 2017 where only 20% were vaccinated (16). This study revealed that only 5.9% participants were taking treatment for Hepatitis B of which 3.4% took treatment from doctors, 1.7% from hakeem and 0.9% preferred homeopathic treatment.…”

Vaccination Coverage and Awareness of Hepatitis B Virus Among Healthcare Students at a University in Cyprus

“…The majority (89.3%) of the participants were aware that HBV vaccine provides protection against HBV infection, however awareness may not reflect knowledge since only 20.2% replied that the vaccine provides (after administration of the three doses) > 90% protection to infants, children, and adults immunized before being exposed to the virus. This contradicts the results in the research of Yasobant et al (27) which two thirds of the population in Gujarat was found to be unaware about Hepatitis B and its vaccine, as well as, the results of a research done in Mumbai that showed that only less than 5% of the participants stated that they were aware of the disease (28). In addition, only 43.5% replied that vaccine is safe and does not cause any side effects and that the HB vaccine is not only one of the most effective but also one of the safest vaccine ever developed while side-effected have rarely been reported (Saridi et al, 2011).…”

Knowledge, awareness and practices related to Hepatitis-B infection and vaccine among general population in Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu

“…Few studies reported similar findings with regards to the knowledge of routes of transmission via blood, infected needles and sexual transmission. 12,16 Other studies have reported that higher proportion of their populations knew about the routes of transmission of HBV. [17][18][19] About 8.7% of our respondents were aware that transmission of HBV can take place from mother to child during pregnancy.…”