Prasad Manya, Rastogi Aayushi, George Mini, S Iswarya, Ahwal Sarita, Gautam Sumridhi, Aggarwal Priyanka
Clinical Research and Epidemiology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, IND.
College of Nursing, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, IND.
Cureus. 2024 Jul 25;16(7):e65327. doi: 10.7759/cureus.65327. eCollection 2024 Jul.
Background and objective Hepatitis B and C are major public health issues in India, associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Understanding the general population's perceptions, values, attitudes, and behaviors regarding these infections is essential for effective health interventions. In light of this, the present study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) related to hepatitis B and C among individuals attending a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination center at a tertiary care hospital in India. Methods A cross-sectional survey involving 759 participants was conducted using a structured questionnaire. Data on demographics and hepatitis-related KAP were collected via face-to-face interviews. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, multivariate logistic regression, and Pearson's correlation coefficients were used for data analysis. Results The mean age of the participants was 33.4 years, with 445 (58.6%) of them being males. Most had at least a high school education, and 467 (61.53%) were employed. The mean knowledge score was 18.94 out of a possible total score of 45. While 529 (69.7%) knew that hepatitis affects the liver, only 317 (41.77%) were aware of the various types of viral hepatitis. The mean attitude score was 15.28 out of 21, with 78.73% willing to seek treatment if diagnosed. However, only 133 (17.55%) believed they were at risk of contracting hepatitis B. The mean practice score was 7.95 out of 15. About 256 (33.73%) had completed the hepatitis B vaccination course and 186 (24.5%) had been screened for hepatitis B or C. Conclusions The study indicates moderate knowledge but significant gaps in understanding about hepatitis transmission and prevention among the general public. Attitudes towards vaccination and treatment are generally positive, but practices related to prevention are inconsistent. Enhanced public health education and targeted interventions are needed to improve hepatitis-related KAP among the general population.
背景与目的 乙型和丙型肝炎是印度的主要公共卫生问题，与显著的发病率和死亡率相关。了解普通人群对这些感染的认知、价值观、态度和行为对于有效的健康干预至关重要。有鉴于此，本研究旨在评估印度一家三级护理医院的2019冠状病毒病（COVID-19）疫苗接种中心的个体中与乙型和丙型肝炎相关的知识、态度和实践（KAP）。方法 使用结构化问卷对759名参与者进行了横断面调查。通过面对面访谈收集了人口统计学和肝炎相关KAP的数据。描述性统计、卡方检验、多变量逻辑回归和皮尔逊相关系数用于数据分析。结果 参与者的平均年龄为33.4岁，其中445名（58.6%）为男性。大多数人至少接受过高中教育，467名（61.53%）受雇。在可能的总分45分中，平均知识得分为18.94分。虽然529名（69.7%）知道肝炎会影响肝脏，但只有317名（41.77%）了解各种类型的病毒性肝炎。在满分21分中，平均态度得分为15.28分，78.73%的人表示如果被诊断愿意寻求治疗。然而，只有133名（17.55%）认为自己有感染乙型肝炎的风险。在满分15分中，平均实践得分为7.95分。约256名（33.73%）完成了乙型肝炎疫苗接种疗程，186名（24.5%）接受过乙型或丙型肝炎筛查。结论 该研究表明普通人群对肝炎传播和预防的了解程度中等，但存在显著差距。对疫苗接种和治疗的态度总体上是积极的，但与预防相关的实践不一致。需要加强公共卫生教育和有针对性的干预措施，以改善普通人群中与肝炎相关的KAP。
