Perception of general population about hepatitis B: a cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases
• Immunology

Background:

• Hepatitis B is a significant global public health concern.
• Community engagement is crucial for controlling Hepatitis B.
• Understanding public perception is key to effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess public perception and knowledge regarding Hepatitis B.
• To identify specific knowledge gaps related to Hepatitis B transmission, consequences, and prevention.
• To explore the relationship between socioeconomic factors and Hepatitis B knowledge.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted.
• Data collected from 210 individuals at an immunization clinic.
• Interviews were used to gather information on Hepatitis B awareness.

Main Results:

• A significant portion of respondents were unaware of the viral cause (65.3%) and transmission routes (46.2%) of Hepatitis B.
• Knowledge regarding long-term consequences was also limited (38%).
• While knowledge of preventive measures was high (76.2%), significant misconceptions existed about vaccination intervals (88.6%) and re-vaccination necessity (86.7%).
• Lower educational attainment and income correlated with lower knowledge levels and vaccine uptake.

Conclusions:

• There are critical knowledge deficits in the community concerning Hepatitis B, particularly regarding its viral etiology, transmission, and vaccination specifics.
• Targeted health education initiatives are needed to address these gaps and improve vaccination practices.
• Socioeconomic factors influence health knowledge and vaccine uptake, necessitating tailored community health programs.