Awareness and Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C in Rural Areas of Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

To evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of participating entities toward hepatitis B and C to know about prevalence, literacy rate, and socioeconomic status of community people. A baseline survey was conducted to study the awareness, knowledge, and screening in a randomly selected population in different communities. Among common people of age above 16 years, a survey was conducted by filling out data collection forms for 560 individuals according to the plan of work designed. From the data collected, results were keenly analyzed, organized, and arranged in the form of tables for the comparison between the observed awareness about the disease and its screening. The prevalence of hepatitis B was found to be 18 (3.2%), hepatitis C 104 (18.6%), and both positive 17 (3%). It showed the high prevalence of hepatitis C. Out of 560 participants, 275 people (49.1%) knew the term hepatitis. Two hundred twenty-two (39.6%) participants did not know about the signs and symptoms of hepatitis. The descriptive statistics showed that 451 (80.5%) did not know the availability of vaccination against hepatitis B. Three hundred and thirty-six (60%) respondents strongly agreed that hepatitis can cause death. Out of 560 participants, 322 people (57.5%) strongly agreed that blood transfusion from hepatitis patients is the cause of hepatitis. Three hundred and seventy-three (66.6%) participants said that they use filtered plant water. In addition, 480 participants (85.7%) never vaccinated themselves. Chi-square test result (p = 0.004) showed a significant relation in the practice of male and female participants of study. A significant value of chi-square in practice domain of KAP was seen in educational qualification (p = 0.021) with undergraduates having better practice among all other levels of qualification. Current study concluded that people are unaware of the causes, prevention, and treatment of hepatitis B and C. People who are with positive signs and symptoms of hepatitis are reluctant to its long-term treatment. Government must arrange awareness campaigns and screening camps in communities to educate people about the importance of prevention and treatment of the disease.