Publication:

Assessment of knowledge attitude and practice towards hepatitis B among health care workers in a tertiary care hospital

Background Hepatitis B is caused by infection with hepatitis B virus and is a major global health burden. In India, the prevalence of Hepatitis B in general population is 2-10%, which place India in an intermediate endemic zone and second largest global pool of chronic hepatitis B infection. Among health care workers Hepatitis B prevalence is two to four folds higher than that of the general population. Transmission of hepatitis B occurs from infected person through blood transfusion; needle pricks unprotected sexual intercourse, sharing of eating utensils and other barber shop and beauty salon equipment. To curb HBV infection prevention programs must be implemented and the complete vaccination schedule must be followed. The objective of the study was to assess the Knowledge attitude and practice towards Hepatitis B among health care workers in a tertiary care hospital.

Methods This cross sectional prospective study was done in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology GMC Srinagar. Information about the socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge towards transmission and prevention method of hepatitis B was taken from150 health care workers including medical and paramedical staff of the hospital.

Results This cross sectional prospective study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Govt. Medical College Srinagar from January to June 2015. 150 health care professionals were taken for the study. Knowledge regarding disease and transmission was fairly good. Regarding vaccination status 42.02% of medical and 29.60% of paramedical staff was fully vaccinated, the most common reason for non compliance being ignorance of importance of vaccination. Awareness of patients’ vaccination status was also low.

Conclusions Due to low vaccine-compliance, Health care workers (HCW) continue to be at the risk of occupational HBV infection.  Regular Health education highlighting occupational risk of HBV, accessibility of vaccine, and mandatory vaccination of HCW is recommended to prevent Hepatitis B infection.