Abstract
BackgroundLack of awareness about viral hepatitis (VH) potentially predisposes the healthcare workers (HCWs) to a higher risk of infection and may in turn increase the risk of transmission of the infection to their families and in the community. Thus, combating VH, requires adequate and updated training to the HCWs. With this objective, Project PRAKASH designed a meticulously planned training program, aimed to assess the effect of a one-day training on VH among in-service nurses.Methods and materialThe content and schedule of scientific sessions of the training program were decided by subject experts to improve knowledge, attitude and practice(KAP) related to VH among in-service nurses. A 54-item questionnaire divided into four domains: Transmission and Risk Factors; Prevention; Treatment; Pathophysiology and Disease Progression were used to assess the KAP related to VH. The questionnaire consisted of four sections: demographic details, knowledge(30-items), attitude(12-items) and practice(12-itmes) with a total score of 30, 60 and 24 respectively in each section. The pre-post knowledge assessment was done and impact assessment survey was undertaken among the participants who completed six months post-training period. Paired-t-test was used to assess the effect of training on knowledge using SPSSv-22.ResultsA total of 5253 HCWs were trained through 32 one-day trainings, however data for 4474 HCWs was included in final pre-post knowledge analysis after removing the missing/incomplete data. Mean age of participants was 33.7±8.4 with median experience of 8(IQR: 3–13). Mean improvement in knowledge score was found to be significant (p<0.001) with mean knowledge score of 19.3±4.4 in pre-test and 25.7±3.9 in the post-test out of 30. Impact assessment survey suggested change in attitude and practice of HCWs.ConclusionThe one-day training programs helped the in-service nurses to enhance their knowledge related to viral hepatitis. The study provided a roadmap to combating viral hepatitis through health education among HCWs about viral hepatitis.
Highlights
Healthcare workers (HCW) are at increased risk of occupational exposure to several bloodborne infections such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B virus (HBV), and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) by virtue of their professional exposure to blood and other bodily fluids during the close contact with patient [1, 2]
A total of 5253 HCWs were trained through 32 one-day trainings, data for 4474 HCWs was included in final pre-post knowledge analysis after removing the missing/incomplete data
The current study suggested that HCWs had a mean knowledge score of 19.23±4.53 with 77.2% of the participants falling in poor-to-moderate category with respect to knowledge related to viral hepatitis
Summary
Healthcare workers (HCW) are at increased risk of occupational exposure to several bloodborne infections such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B virus (HBV), and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) by virtue of their professional exposure to blood and other bodily fluids during the close contact with patient [1, 2]. Risk assessment associated with Hepatitis B infection, low priority given by health management and policy makers and negligence towards getting themselves vaccinated are few reasons for incomplete or partial vaccination against HBV [11,12,13]. Lack of awareness about viral hepatitis (VH) potentially predisposes the healthcare workers (HCWs) to a higher risk of infection and may in turn increase the risk of transmission of the infection to their families and in the community. Project PRAKASH designed a meticulously planned training program, aimed to assess the effect of a one-day training on VH among in-service nurses
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