Perception of adolescent females about viral hepatitis in urban and rural Sindh

ABSTRACT

To assess perception regarding viral hepatitis among adolescent college girls and to evaluate the frequency of vaccination against hepatitis B of urban [Karachi] and rural [District Kambar Shadad Kot] Sindh. A cross sectional study using cluster sampling technique was conducted in five randomly selected intermediate colleges of Karachi and four of district Kambar Shadadkot during January 2008-February 2009. A total number of 500 adolescent college girls of age group 16-19 years were included in the study; 350 from urban and 150 from rural Sindh. A questionnaire was filled comprising of general information regarding viral hepatitis such as; type of hepatitis, mode of transmission, methods of prevention and status of vaccination etc. Respondents were interviewed after a written informed consent and confidentiality was assured. Data was analyzed using SPSS software package. Total respondents were 500; 350 from urban [Karachi] and 150 from rural [district Kambar Shadadkot] Sindh. Knowledge regarding various types of hepatitis was known to only 4% urban and 7% respondents from rural setup, while 54% from Karachi and 30% from interior Sindh had awareness that hepatitis B and C are infectious diseases. Seventy three percent of urban respondents knew that hepatitis B can develop cirrhosis and lead to liver cancer and 51% from rural population had the acquaintance. Immunization against HBV was recognized by 53% respondents of urban population but despite acquaintance only 28% were found vaccinated and the reason cited for non immunization was lack of awareness and cost of vaccine. Only 16% girls were found vaccinated from rural Sindh. Poor knowledge about hepatitis and vaccination against it amongst adolescents is still alarming and strategies need to be developed by the relevant authorities for creating awareness and to vaccinate them