Abstract:
Hepatitis B is a potentially life-threatening liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus.
Hepatitis B (HB) is a serious global public health problem which affects liver. Hepatitis viruses
are the most common cause of hepatitis in the world but other infections, toxic substances (e.g.
alcohol, certain drugs), and autoimmune diseases can also cause hepatitis. Slum people are at
high risk of Hepatitis B infections. Therefore, awareness is needed to control and prevent the transmission of Hepatitis B. The present study was aimed to assess slum dweller’s knowledge
about Hepatitis B and Hepatitis B Virus, their perception of risk factor and their attitude towards
patient hepatitis B infected person. It was a survey based study and 569 slum dwellers (both male
and female) from Meradiya, Badda, Vashantek, BRP and Kalshi were interviewed with
structured questionnaire. Most of the respondents were aged between 15-36 years. In this study
all respondents confirmed that they have heard about Hepatitis B. About 48.51% of the slum
people were conscious about the organ. Among the respondents, 50.97% said that Hepatitis B
vaccine is available. According to 75.75% and 74% of the respondents, Hepatitis B can be
transmitted through unprotected sex and from mother to fetus respectively. Among the
respondents 72.23% mentioned that Hepatitis B can be transmitted through blood transfusion or
by sharing infected needle (73.64%). Majority of them had misconception about the mode of
transmission like mosquito bite (44.29%), eating or drinking from same glass or plate (43.06%)
and wearing same dress (42.53%). Most the respondents (65.00%) thought that using condom
can be a mode of prevention of Hepatitis B and about 66.78% thought by avoiding needle
sharing, 60.28% think by increasing knowledge and awareness can help to prevent Hepatitis B.
Most respondents showed positive attitude towards infected person. About 79% of them wanted
to take care in home or community and 70.47% participants told that they would like to continue
relationship with the patient. Since only five slums (Meradiya, Badda, Vashantek, BRP, Kalshi )
are not sufficient to get a satisfactory data about their perception of the disease so we need to
collect more data of slum people throughout the country. Government and different health
related organization should take necessary steps to increase knowledge and awareness about
Hepatitis B virus and its infection.
Description:
This thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) in East West University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.