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Knowledge, attitudes and practices among people with chronic hepatitis B attending a hepatology clinic in Malaysia: a
Rosmawati Mohamed1, Chirk Jenn Ng, Wen Ting Tong
1Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Malaya 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. ros@ummc.edu.my
Insights
Hepatitis B patients exhibit significant knowledge gaps and persistent stigma, particularly concerning transmission and social disclosure. Enhanced patient and public education are crucial for improving awareness and reducing misconceptions about chronic Hepatitis B infection.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a primary global cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
- Understanding the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of individuals with chronic HBV is critical for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of patients with chronic Hepatitis B.
- To identify factors associated with these knowledge, attitudes, and practices.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary hospital's adult hepatology clinic.
- Self-administered questionnaires were used to gather data on knowledge, attitudes, and lifestyle practices.
Main Results:
- Participants aged 30-39, with higher education, professional jobs, longer diagnosis duration, and no cirrhosis showed higher knowledge scores.
- Over half worried about transmission; a third felt embarrassed to disclose their diagnosis, though most informed family.
- Half avoided sharing utensils, believing HBV is transmitted via shared dining ware; older patients were less likely to share.
Conclusions:
- Significant stigma and misconceptions persist among Hepatitis B patients.
- There is a need for increased patient and public education on HBV transmission and prevention.
- Educational initiatives are essential to raise awareness and demystify Hepatitis B.
Background:
Hepatitis B (HBV) is the leading cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes and practices of people with chronic HBV and the associated factors.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted at an outpatient adult hepatology clinic at a tertiary hospital in Kuala Lumpur. A self-administered questionnaire was administered on a one-to-one basis to assess knowledge, attitudes, and lifestyle practices of people with chronic HBV.
Results:
The response rate was 89% (n = 483/543). Participants had a mean age of 46.3 (±14.7) years and the mean duration of HBV from time of diagnosis was 12.2 (±8.8) years. The mean knowledge score was 12.57/20 (standard deviation: ±4.4, range: 0-19). Participants aged 30-39 years, with higher educational attainment, employed in professional jobs, longer duration of diagnosis and those without cirrhosis had significantly higher knowledge scores. Age, education level and duration of diagnosis were significant predictors of the knowledge score on standard multiple regression analysis. More than half of the participants were worried of spreading HBV infection to family and friends and worried since the diagnosis. A third of the participants (33.5%) were embarrassed to reveal their diagnosis to the public but most of them (93.6%) would inform their family. Those who reported feeling worried since their diagnosis were more likely to be middle-aged, of Malay ethnicity, have shorter duration of diagnosis of less than 10 years and have received therapy. About half of the participants (50.6%) did not share dining utensils and the majority (93.2%) believed that HBV can be transmitted by sharing of eating and drinking utensils. Older patients were significantly less likely to share utensils. Those who felt worried since diagnosis had significant higher knowledge of HBV.
Conclusion:
The findings highlight the stigma and misconceptions that still exist among the HBV patients. More patient and public education about HBV and its prevention are essential to increase awareness and to demystify the disease.
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