Knowledge, attitude and practice of Tanta University medical students towards hepatitis B and C

Abstract

Background: Egypt lies among the world's highest prevalence rates of HCV and intermediate levels of HBV infection. The objectives of the study were detection of the knowledge, attitude and practice of Medical Students of Tanta University towards hepatitis B and C. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, conducted in The Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Egypt; from 15th October 2013 to 15th of January 2014. Results: The study included 185 Students; their ages ranged between 17 to 28 years with a mean 20±1.731years. Sixty percent of students were males and 65% were urban residents. 50.8% of the participants were in the basic level of the academic study. More than half (57.85%) of the participants had sufficient knowledge, 77.3% of them had a positive attitude towards hepatitis C and B and more than two-thirds (68.1%) showed good practice. A significant association occurred between a positive attitude and good practice. Sufficient knowledge was significantly recorded among older students, females, urban residents and the clinical stage students. The most frequent sources of student information were family or friends, internet followed by TV or radio, healthcare workers, and newspapers. Conclusions: The students had reasonable knowledge, positive attitude and good practices towards B and C viral hepatitis. Areas of insufficient knowledge needed to be reinforced included some modes of transmission, complications, and treatment for B and C viral hepatitis.

Perspectives of students in a medical school regarding Hepatitis B and C in North West India

“…11-13 95% of the respondents were aware about the availability of Hepatitis B vaccine which concurs with the results reported by Hussain FS et al 14 Most of the respondents had adequate knowledge about the modes of transmission which was in line of agreement with the results. 12,15 In contrast to the results of current study, lower knowledge levels. [16][17][18] Lower proportion (45%) of the students knew that living with the Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C patient was not a risk factor which was in contrast to result reported by authors.…”

“…19 Majority (95%) of the respondents in the present study requested for the new blade/ sterilized instruments on a visit to a hair salon while only 79.5% of the respondents elicited this practice. 12 86.43% of the respondents in the current study reported on getting a needle stick injury in contrast to 53.7%. 19 All the respondents were using sterilized disposable syringe if needed which was indeed a very healthy practice.…”

“…However it was reported that 11.4% of the respondents weren't using sterilized disposable syringes. 12 Only 21.43% of the respondents in the present study were using gloves while examining a patient or during blood collection which is not a good practice and this tendency needs to be curbed.…”

“…In the present study, 68.5% of the respondents were willing to get screened for both the diseases while a higher rate was reported in the study conducted in Egypt. 12 Among the practices, 92.8% of the respondents had protected themselves against Hepatitis B. Other studies reported lower rates to the tune of 63%, 52.5%, 38.1% and a dismal 4.9% respectively regarding Hepatitis B vaccination practice.…”

“…14 However in the study it was reported lower levels of knowledge among the respondents on this count. 11,12,19 Only 37.8% of the respondents replied that Hepatitis B was curable whereas 75% respondents said that disease was curable in the study conducted by authors. 14 Regarding safety of Hepatitis B vaccine for all ages, 86.4% replied in affirmative while only 63% replied positive in the study.…”