Abstract
Background: Hepatitis B vaccine is the single most effective and safest strategy for the prevention of the disease among health care workers (HCW), trainees and medical students. There is scanty information on knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) regarding Hepatitis B vaccination among medical students who are likely to get exposed in the future as they start practicing. This study was undertaken to understand the knowledge, attitude and practice of hepatitis B vaccination among clinical medical students of Manipal College of Medical sciences at Pokhara, Nepal.Methods: Two hundred and four medical students were enrolled for an observational, cross-sectional study at Manipal College of Medical sciences at Pokhara, Nepal after obtaining ethical clearance from Institutional Review Committee. Answers to pre-tested questionnaire were collected. Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding Hepatitis B vaccination were studied. Results: All participants demonstrated good knowledge and positive attitude towards Hepatitis B infection and vaccination. However majority had poor practice towards it. Only 47.1% were completely vaccinated. The most common reason for non vaccination was that many thought they will vaccinate in internship or when they start practicing.Conclusion: Despite good knowledge and positive attitude towards Hepatitis B infection and vaccination, low rates of vaccination and poor practice was observed among HCW indicating the necessity of encouragement for vaccination and proper practices among them. All medical students should be immunized against Hepatitis B during their medical school. Regular Hepatitis B vaccination, educational and awareness programs must be conducted in coordination and with active participation of the medical students.Keywords: Attitude; Hepatitis B; knowledge; Medical students; Practice; Vaccination
Highlights
Hepatitis-B virus (HBV) infection is a worldwide healthcare problem.[1]
This included pre-tested questionnaire that were categorized into 3 sections: section 1knowledge, section 2- attitude, section 3- practice of Hepatitis B vaccination
The semi structured questionnaire was distributed to 214 MBBS clinical medical students at Manipal College of Medical Sciences
Summary
Hepatitis-B virus (HBV) infection is a worldwide healthcare problem.[1] About 10% of the patients develop chronic hepatitis and about 15%-25% develop cirrhosis after infection with HBV.[2,3] National study on HBV has shown upto 2.7% prevalence among high risk group with injecting drugs in Western Nepal.[4] Hepatitis B is the major infectious occupational health hazard for hospital staffs because of their repeated exposure.[5] All the hospital staffs including trainees and medical students are at occupational risk of HBV infection. Hepatitis B vaccine is the single most effective and safest strategy for the prevention of the disease among health care workers (HCW), trainees and medical students. There is scanty information on knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) regarding Hepatitis B vaccination among medical students who are likely to get exposed in the future as they start practicing. This study was undertaken to understand the knowledge, attitude and practice of hepatitis B vaccination among clinical medical students of Manipal College of Medical sciences at Pokhara, Nepal
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