Journal of the Dow University of Health Sciences (Jan 2013)
Effect of Institute and Educational Level on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice regarding Hepatitis B and C and Vaccination of Hepatitis B Among Medical Students of Karachi, Pakistan
Abstract
Background: Medical students are usually at high risk of exposure to hepatitis virus. Though, studies revealed that less knowledge, low attitude and practice rate were found among these students for infections. Objective: To determine the effects of type of college (private/public) and educational level (pre-clinical/clinical group) on the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding hepatitis B and C viruses, and vaccination status among medical students. Subjects And Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted in 7 undergraduate medical colleges/universities of Karachi. Data were collected from October 2007 to February 2008 through convenient sampling technique. A pre-tested questionnaire was distributed among 1509 students after taking verbal consent. It contained questions regarding awareness about prevention and transmission, diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis B and C. In addition, it also inquired about the vaccination status of hepatitis B, the awareness of students regarding post-exposure prophylaxis and the observations during their clinical rotations. The years of education were categorized intopre-clinical (1st and 2nd year) and clinical (3rd, 4th and 5th years) groups. Chi square was used to find theassociation between type of colleges and level of education (pre-clinical/clinical) with response variables. Results: Out of 1509 subjects surveyed, 937 (62.1%) were from public administered colleges and 794 (52.6%)were from clinical group. Eighty-five percent of the respondents indicated that they were aware of availabilityof a vaccine for hepatitis B. Clinical group showed significantly higher percentage than pre-clinical group. Only57.1% of the students displayed excellent knowledge about the routes of spread of hepatitis B & C. Studentsof private colleges portrayed relatively better knowledge for treatment procedures than public college students(P<0.0001). Clinical group and private college students showed significantly higher knowledge of availabilityof post exposure prophylaxis for hepatitis B. 53.4% interviewees considered that a patient with hepatitis B shouldabandon the sexual contacts. About 71% of the respondents were found to be vaccinated with all the 3 doses.Our study revealed a relatively better practicing attributes among private college students, and therefore lesseraccidental needle pricking episodes were found in the same group. Conclusions: Students from private institutes and clinical group showed higher knowledge, attitude and practice related to hepatitis B & C viruses.
