RÉSUMÉ
A descriptive and cross sectional study was conducted among non-gazzeted staff of a Tertiary Care Hospital in Lahore from January 2012 to July 2012. The objective was to assess the level of knowledge and practice regarding prevention of Hepatitis B and explore the gaps between knowledge and actual practice for disease prevention. A sample of fifty six non-gazzeted staff [appointed 3 months earlier on regular basis] was taken through systematic random sampling. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used after taking verbal consent from the respondents. Out of total fifty six, 26 [46.4%] were females. The mean age was 27.45 +/- 08.41 years and 34 [60.7%] were having income / capita / month < Rs. 3000. Good knowledge regarding this viral disease was present in 30 [53.6%] respondents. But 47 [83.9%] were well informed that disease spreads through blood transfusion and from person to person. Also 48 [85.7%] were aware that needle stick injury can lead to disease transmission. Knowledge of disease transmitting sexually was positive among 44 [78.6%] respondents and through unhygienic dental procedure was positive among 45 [80.4%] respondents. Regarding practices 25 [44.6%] had full course of immunization and 53 [94.6%] were properly disposing off used needles and 31 [55.4%] were insisting on change of razors at barber's shop. It was also observed that 38 [67.9%] respondents were using gloves before handling the instruments and 28 [50%] got accidental needle prick in last calendar year. Out of total fifty six, 46 [82.14%] had satisfactory / good knowledge. However paramedics as compared to auxiliary staff showed good knowledge [P-value = .0036] and also good practice [P-value = .0031]. These significant statistics of the hospital staff are very encouraging, as they revealed satisfactory / good knowledge [82.14%] satisfactory / good practice [69.94%], the gap of 12.50% can be overcome by continuous awareness campaigns by hospital authorities. However full course of immunization doesn't depend on income / capita / month [P-value - 0.0602] and on gender [P-value - 0.775]. The present study concludes that there is a gap between knowledge and practices among non-gazzeted staff. Repeated awareness sessions should be launched to overcome this gap and subsidized full immunization package should be provided at recruitment time to hospital non-gazzeted staff