Prevention of Hepatitis B-Knowledge and Practices Among Medical Students.

ABSTRACT

Background: Hepatitis B is the major infectious disease of mankind. It is the most common cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepato-cellular carcinoma world wide .The health professionals are at the most risk. Vaccination against Hepatitis B can prevent this deadly disease. This survey was conducted to assess the knowledge and status of Hepatitis B vaccination among the medical students of B.J. Medical College, Ahmedabad. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 medical students of II, III/I and III/II year .Pre-tested questionnaire were administered to 50 students of each semester. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 16.0. Results: 86.7 % of the medical students had correct knowledge about Hepatitis B virus, though only 66 % of II year students knew about the virus. Majority of the medical students had correct knowledge regarding mode of transmission however, the knowledge was found to be less among II year students. Only 20% of the II year students had the correct knowledge regarding Post Exposure Prophylaxis for hepatitis B. 29.3% of the medical students were not vaccinated for Hepatitis B. Conclusion: The present study concludes that there is a lack of awareness among the medical students entering into the profession about Hepatitis B, its route of transmission and modes of prevention .Similarly all the students were not vaccinated against Hepatitis B, which makes them vulnerable to the disease.