Level of knowledge regarding hepatitis-B immunization amongst health personnel in Delhi, India

Hepatitis B infection is endemic throughout the world. Government of India started Hepatitis B immunization project for children less than one year of age in 15 cities and 32 selected districts in the country in the year 2002. This study was carried out to ascertain the level of knowledge regarding Hepatitis B immunization amongst primary care provider working in urban government dispensaries. Out of 12 municipal zones in Delhi [India], one was selected randomly i.e. South Municipal zone and all the 32 government dispensaries operational in this zone were covered. The study subjects were medical officer and health worker female. A single investigator carried out the survey during the period Oct-Dec' 05 using interview schedule bearing 15-item question based on WHO & GOI guidelines & broadly divided into three sub-groups and analysis carried through software statistical package [SPSS ver. 7]. Out of 172, a total of 141 [82%] primary care provider i.e. 73 medical officers and 68 health worker female were contacted. The overall mean score amongst medical officer for Hepatitis B infection, Hepatitis B immunization & Cold chain component for Hepatitis B vaccine was found to be 89.33 [SD 1.21], 87.25 [SD 1.56] and 40.80 [SD 3.07]. Similarly for health worker female, mean score was found to be 59.75 [SD 2.08], 97.37 [SD 0.85] & 70.0 [SD 2.77] respectively. A clear difference was found between theoretical and practical knowledge aspect on the subject area with cold chain being identified as a weak link. It needs to be emphasized that Hepatitis B is "freeze-sensitive" vaccine and should be strictly preserved between 2-8 degrees C temperatures as freezing has a detrimental effect on its potency.