Analysis of the awareness by healthcare professionals and the public about viral hepatitis in the context of decentralisation of diagnostics

Abstract

Viral hepatitis B and C (VH) is a global public health problem. The peculiarity of VH is usually asymptomatic onset of the disease, so early diagnosis and, accordingly, treatment of the disease at early stages will help to reduce mortality and costs associated with treatment of complications.
 The aim of our study was to investigate the level of awareness of health care professionals (HCPs) and the general population about VH, as well as their attitudes toward VH testing.
 In accordance with the objective, a survey form for healthcare professionals and a survey form for the general population were developed. Methods of comparative, statistical, graphical and logical analysis were used to process the survey results, describe them and draw conclusions.
 79% of surveyed healthcare professionals believe that the problem of VH spread is relevant for Ukrainian society, 37% consider VH a very dangerous disease. 63% of respondents know the differences in treatment, but 60% answered incorrectly about the possibility of complete cure of HCV. The main obstacle to diagnosing VH is the belief that people do not belong to the risk group (82.3%), but only 23.3% of the surveyed population will not be diagnosed for this reason. Due to the cost of the procedure, 13.8% of the population will refuse to be tested. 71% of respondents said they knew the main symptoms of VH, while 84% did not consider themselves to be at risk of infection. In case of absence of symptoms, 55% of respondents are not ready to buy a test in a pharmacy for self-diagnosis of VH at their own expense. 89% of respondents are ready to buy a test for self-diagnosis in a pharmacy if they suspect VH. In general, the results of the study emphasize the relevance of decentralization of VH diagnostic services.
 The majority of respondents, both among the general population and healthcare professionals, are aware of the ways of VH infection, but do not consider it necessary to be tested. In our opinion, there is an urgent need for an information campaign focused on the need for annual VH diagnosis. In the future, decentralization of testing and information campaigns in cooperation with pharmacists will help reduce the burden on the economic system of providing testing and treatment for people with VH at the expense of the state.