Analysis of Community’s Knowledge of Hepatitis A Disease and Vaccines in Indonesia

Abstract

Hepatitis A is a viral disease with a high potential for morbidity and mortality which is also the second highest incidence in Indonesia after hepatitis B. The purpose of this research is to measure knowledge of Indonesian community about hepatitis A disease and vaccine and to analyze the factors related to knowledge. This study used an observational survey research design applying a cross-sectional multi-center approach. The number of sample was 500 respondents located in 5 provinces in Indonesia, namely DIY, Lampung, West Java, North Kalimantan, and Central Sulawesi. Data collection was carried out using a questionnaire that was modified from the questionnaire in a similar study before. The results showed that the mean of knowledge score obtained was 75.2% ± 12.2% with a median of 76.9%. There are 2 items of knowledge that were lack understood by respondents, namely treatment of hepatitis A that cannot be treated with antibiotics and immunizations and hepatitis A is not included yet in the national immunization program in Indonesia. Statistical analysis using Mann-Whitney test showed that there were significant differences score of knowledge between groups on the characteristics of the number of dependents (p=0,000), experience of hearing a disease (p=0,000), experience of hearing a vaccine (p=0,000) and the experience of the child being vaccinated (p=0,000). It is recommended that the government conducts education programs for the community of Indonesia to improve knowledge related to hepatitis A diseases and the benefits of using hepatitis Avaccine.