Knowledge and Awareness of Hepatitis B among the University Students of Bangladesh

Abstract

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. Aims of the present study were to determine the knowledge level of university students in Bangladesh about Hepatitis B, their perception of risk factor and their attitude towards Hepatitis B infected person. A questionnaire based survey was carried out among 1003 university students in Dhaka city of Bangladesh. During the study it was found that 100% respondents heard about Hepatitis B where 67.70% were male. Most of them got information from media (48%) and educational institute (43.6%). About 59% students were aware of the affected organ. Among them 82.3% mentioned liver and some other had misconception about the affected organ. Level of vaccination of university students was 51.6% and rest of them didn’t take vaccine because of irresponsibility, lack of time and lack of knowledge. Of those who were aware of hepatitis B infection, 65.5% mentioned blood transfusion as route of transmission of Hepatitis B, 55.6% mentioned needles and sharps while only 47% said that the disease can be transmitted through unprotected sex. Most common incorrectly identified routes of transmission by the respondents include mosquito bites (22.2%) and transmission through sharing toilets with infected person (9.3%). The ways of preventing Hepatitis B infection were knowledge and education (78.3%) and blood test before marriage (70.9%). Almost all of the students had positive attitude towards Hepatitis B infected person. Different types of seminar on Hepatitis B, arranged by university can increase students’ level of knowledge and awareness. Government and different health related organization should take necessary steps to increase knowledge and awareness about Hepatitis B virus and its infection.