Knowledge, Attitude and Practice toward Prevention of Hepatitis B Virus Infection among Somalian Immigrant in the State of Selangor, Malaysia, and their HBV Infection Status

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a serious health problem that can lead to liver cirrhosis and cancer. Assessing the public knowledge, attitude, and practice towards HBV infection can be useful in planning public health policies in HBV management. Objective: The current study sought to determine the association between knowledge, attitude, and practice towards HBV infection with the HBV infection status of Somalian immigrants in Malaysia. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2017 to April 2018 among Somalian immigrants in the state of Selangor, Malaysia. Data was collected using a validated, self-administered structured questionnaire. Their blood samples were collected for the detection of HBV DNA using nested PCR. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis were done to determine this association. Result: A total of 145 participants were recruited. The majority of participants were in the age group of 20-31 (84.1%), male (62.8%), single (52.4%), had an educational level of an undergraduate degree (70.3%), and unemployed (88.3%). The majority of the participants show good knowledge (82.8%) and attitude (78.6%) but generally poor practice (32.4%) towards HBV infection. The mean knowledge, attitude, and practice scores among them were 16.9 ± (4.89), 9.20 ± (2.94), and 9.39 ± (2.93) respectively. The sociodemographic characteristic variables and KAP of HBV were not significantly associated. Selected samples collected from the participant tested negative for HBV DNA via nested PCR assay. Conclusion: Somalian immigrants in Malaysia have a good level of knowledge and attitude but a poor level of practice towards HBV infection. All participants were negative for HBV infection.