Assessment of Knowledge and Attitude regarding Hepatitis B infection and its prevention among medical undergraduate students of a medical college of Western Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Background: Compared to the general population, healthcare workers (including medical, dental and nursing students) have a greater chance of developing a hepatitis B infection. There has often been a lack of awareness and observance of precautionary measures among the students. Our goal was to conduct a knowledge, attitude study on HCWs' awareness of and adherence to hepatitis B preventive strategies among medical students.

Material & Methods: This cross sectional study conducted for 6 months enrolled all medical undergraduate students from all the batches studying at a medical college in Agra. A questionnaire-based proforma regarding knowledge and attitude towards hepatitis B, its causation, and prevention was filled out by each participant.

Results: Mean age (SD) of participants was 22 ± 0.92 years with 53% female participants. Mean knowledge score among the participants was 10.6 ±2.19 out of total score of 15 and mean attitude score was 26.4±2.24 out of total score of 30. Knowledge score was significantly associated with age (p value 0.000), sex (p value 0.000), religion (p value 0.021) and professional year (p value 0.000).  Attitude was significantly associated with age (p value 0.048), sex (p value 0.002), Socioeconomic class (p value 0.000), Permanent residence (p value 0.002) and knowledge (p value 0.000). Better knowledge was reported with increase in the age and professional year, whereas better attitude was noted among those who had better knowledge.

Conclusion: There is an need to improve knowledge regarding hepatitis infection from the very beginning itself to ensure proper attitude and hopefully better preventive practices among the students those will become future doctors in coming time.