Abstract:
Hepatitis B is a silent epidemic as it is a potentially life-threatening liver infection caused
by the hepatitis B virus. It is a major global health problem. It attacks the liver and can
cause both acute and chronic disease. The main objective of the present study were to
evaluate the knowledge of mode of transmission, prevention and attitudes of secondary
school and college students regarding viral hepatitis B. A questionnaire based survey was
carried out among 380 students in 16 school and college in Dhaka, Brahmanbaria and
Munshiganj district of Bangladesh. The majority (62.63%) of the study population were
aged between 15-17 years. Among the respondants 52.36% were female and 47.63% were
Male. During the study it was found that 89.47% students have heard about Hepatitis B but
only 12.37% students mentioned liver as the affected organ. Educational institute was
identified as the major ( 58.42%) source of knowledge. Level of vaccination of the
students was 52.36%. During assessing the knowledge of mode of thansmission, 38.42%
mentioned blood transfusion as route of transmission of Hepatitis B, 32.11% mentioned
needles and sharps while only 28.38% said that the disease can be transmitted through
unprotected sex. Misconception regarding the transmission include mosquito bite 15.79%
and sharing toilet with infected person 15.53%. The ways of preventing Hepatitis B
infection were knowledge and education (53.42%) and blood test before marriage
(42.63%). Majority of the respondants showed negative attitude toward the infected
person. The level of knowledge and awareness regarding the mode of transmission and
prevention is low. Messages need to be incorporated in media campaigns, in addition with
arranging seminar by the educational institutes and different types of health organization
can 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.