29. Study of knowledge, attitude and practice regarding hepatitis B in relatives of HBsAg positive patients

Abstract

Background and Aims: Hepatitis B is a life threatening infection resulting in 0.6 million deaths annully. Despite avaliability of vaccine for 40 years and wide media publicity misinformation regarding HBV is rampant in India. The presnt study is aimed to assess the knowledege, attitude and practice regarding hepatitis B among relatives of HbsAg positive patients. Methods: Present study is prospective non-randomised observational study conducted among the relatives of HBsAg positive patients between December 2016 to March 2018. The instrument of study was a prevalidated qustionnaire in hindi. The questionnaire consisted of 20 questions for knowledge, 7 for attitude and 10 for practice. Results: Total 354 subjects partcipated in study. The male to female ratio was 1.17:1 and urban to rural ratio was 0.96:1. 83% repondents did not have any formal source of information regarding hepatitis B. 44.6% subjects were not aware about modes of transmission. 85.9% subjects were not aware regarding constitutional symptoms. However 68.4% knew that jaundice is one of manifestation of HBV. 50.3% subjects were unaware regarding mother ot child transmission. 45% subjects were unaware about vaccine for HBV. The mean knowledge attitude and practice score was significantly higher among respondents whiose age was more than 35 years and who had formal college eduation. There was a strong positive correlation between knowledge and attitude (r = 0.58) and knowldge and practice. (r = 0.64). Conclusions: Despite extensive publicity and vaccination drive there is insufficient knowledge regarding HBV, its modes of transmissio and its prevention. Presnt study highlights that a correct knowldge regarding this disease will bring positiev attitudes in subjests and will lead to adaptation of correct practcies. The authors have none to declare.