Awareness of women regarding hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is the major health problem globally casting an enormous burden on health care system and major source of patient's misery. It is also an important cause of hepatocellular carcinoma and is likely to remain a serious health problem resulting in substantial morbidity and mortality for several decades to come. Objective of the study was to determine the level of awareness regarding hepatitis B among women attending obstetric and gynaecology clinic at Isra university Hospital. It was descriptive study and conducted in Obstetric and Gynaecology, Outpatient Department of Isra University Hospital, Hyderabad, Sindh from 2nd January to 3rd June 2008.

Total 121 women of 20-50 years were gathered by sample of convenience. Information was collected on predesigned questionnaire containing questions regarding basic knowledge of disease, its causative organism, route of transmission and its prevention. Informed consent was taken. All the data was analyzed by computer software Programme of Social Sciences (SPSS version 11.0).

Out of 121 women, 82 (67.76%) women correctly responded that virus is a cause of hepatitis. When they were asked about the organs affected by hepatitis B infection, 91 (75.20%) correctly mentioned liver, while 30 (24.79%) gave incorrect answer. Regarding mode of transmission of HBV 41 (33.88%) mentioned infected blood transfusion, 49 (40.49%) contaminated needles, 46 (38.0%) un-sterilised instruments, 21 (17.35%) from mother to child and only 23 (19.0%) mentioned sexual intercourse. Only 51 (42.14%) women knew that vaccine is available for prevention.

This study found that the knowledge about hepatitis B virus among women is inadequate and there are certain misconceptions regarding its mode of transmission through sharing room, touching etc which needs to be clarified. Majority of women don't know that HBV infection can be prevented by using condoms.