A Study on Knowledge and Awareness about Hepatitis B among the School and College going students of Dhaka City

Abstract

Hepatitis B is a potentially life-threatening liver infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is a major global health problem. It can cause chronic infection and puts people at high risk of death from cirrhosis and liver cancer. In Bangladesh Hepatitis B is one of the biggest threat due to lack of knowledge and awareness about it. The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge and awareness about Hepatitis B among the school and college going students in Bangladesh. A total of 203 subjects aged between 13 to 19 years’ age, who were students of different schools and colleges participated in the study representing the adolescent of the nation. They responded to a structured questionnaire where all the respondents have heard about Hepatitis B. According to 51.23% of the respondents, Hepatitis B can be transmitted through blood transfusion. About 41.87% informed that Hepatitis B can be transmitted by breast feeding. Majority of them have little knowledge or misconception about the mode of transmission like eating and drinking from same plates or glasses of patient (21.67%) and kissing or talking (19.70%). From this study we found 72.90% respondents thought that proper knowledge and education is the most effective way to control and prevent Hepatitis B. About 59.11% respondents thought another most effect way to prevent Hepatitis B is blood test before marriage. From this study we found that 67% students would behave positively to the Hepatitis B patient if he/she will be one the student or teacher of their educational institute. Another 66.50% respondents said they will continue their relationship with Hepatitis B infected person. Since this study was conducted in only 9 schools and colleges in the Dhaka city, that cannot reflect the overall view of the whole country, further research work should be carried out with more number of schools and colleges across the country. It is also important to increase the level of knowledge and awareness about Hepatitis B; so that misconceptions don’t arise among the school and college going students.