A Kap Study Of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection Among Medical Students In University Of Benin

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B virus infection which is the world’s most common blood borne viral infection is highly endemic in Nigeria. Health care workers including medical students are at risk of acquiring the infection while at work. Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of HBV infection among medical students in the University of Benin.Method: A cross-sectional, descriptive study carried out among 300 pre-clinical and clinical medical students. Stratified sampling method was used in selecting participants. Data was collected by pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire. Results: Mean age of respondents was 23.8 + 3.8 years. Overall knowledge of Hepatitis B infection was high (65.7%) and this was significantly higher among the clinical (99.3%)than the pre-clinical students (31.1%), p < 0.0001. The males (96.7%) had more positive attitude to the infection than the females (87.4%). Less than 10% of the respondents knew their HBV status and less than a quarter had been vaccinated against the infection. Poor awareness, non-availability and high cost of vaccine were identified as factorsdiscouraging the uptake of vaccine. Conclusion: Though, overall knowledge and attitude to HBV infection was good, there is need to develop guidelines to ensure that medical students are not only fully vaccinatedagainst HBV but adequate practice of standard precaution is adhered to.Keywords: Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Hepatitis B Virus, Medical students.