Abstract
Few data are available regarding viral hepatitis perception among the general global population. The present study aims to estimate the perception of viral hepatitis in a cohort of individuals living in two geographical regions of Brazil: North (Manaus city (MA)) and Southeast (Rio de Janeiro city (RJ)). A cross-sectional, descriptive study was carried out among 287 subjects recruited in MA (134) and RJ (153). All individuals answered a questionnaire assessing socio-demographic characteristics and viral hepatitis awareness. Participants’ responses were scored and divided using interquartile values. Associations between socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge were also evaluated. Interquartile analysis scored 0–21 correct answers as “Very Weak”; 22–27 as “Weak”; 28–31 as “Intermediate”; and 32–47 as “Desirable”. Mean ± standard deviations (SD) of correct responses were weak in both MA (24.1 ± 7.0) and RJ (26.3 ± 7.3). Bivariate analysis showed an association between viral hepatitis awareness and both education level (p < 0.001) and family income (p < 0.01). Desirable scores were more common in female participants (61%), those aged between 21–30 years (40%), those with a secondary education (51.7%), those who received high income (31.6%), and those from RJ (70.0%). Health education campaigns in these cities are recommended to increase knowledge and reduce the transmission of these viruses.
Highlights
A group of viruses known as hepatitis A–E (HAV, HBV HCV, HDV, and HEV) cause viral hepatitis.HAV and HEV are transmitted by ingestion of contaminated food or water while HBV, HCV, and HDV are usually transmitted as a result of parenteral contact with infected bodily fluids, such as during transfusion of contaminated blood or blood products, invasive medical procedures using contaminated equipment, sexual intercourse, and horizontal and vertical transmission [1,2,3].Viral hepatitis is the eighth primary cause of mortality worldwide, resulting in 1.44 million deaths in 2010 [2]
The present study aims to estimate the perception about viral hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E in a cohort of individuals from general populations living in two cities of North and Southern Brazil, to identify possible gaps and strengths
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) city is situated in the Southern region of Brazil and has 6,453,682 residents, while MA city is located in the Northern region of the country and has 2,020,301 residents
Summary
A group of viruses known as hepatitis A–E (HAV, HBV HCV, HDV, and HEV) cause viral hepatitis. It is fundamental to promote universal access to information and education in order to prevent infectious diseases like hepatitis [8]. To this end, in order to plan preventive measures for viral hepatitis, it is essential to identify the gaps in viral hepatitis perception in the general population. The present study aims to estimate the perception about viral hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E in a cohort of individuals from general populations living in two cities of North and Southern Brazil, to identify possible gaps and strengths
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