Strategy on Hepatitis B prevention among African undergraduate students of health sciences in Davangere, Karnataka India

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B is an inflammatory disease of the liver which is caused by Hepatitis B Virus. It is a global problem, with 66% of all the population living in areas where there are high levels of infections. Hepatitis B infection are due to lapses in the sterilization of instruments as well as improper waste management. Knowledge regarding Hepatitis B and safety precautions is needed to minimize the health care setting’s acquired infections among health personnel and students of health Sciences.

Aim: The study was aimed at assessing the knowledge regarding the prevention of Hepatitis B among African Undergraduate students of Health Sciences in Davangere.

Methodology: A cross sectional design was used for the study were 50 students were selected using purposive sampling. A validated structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The data were analyzed using median score and correlations.

Results: The results indicated that majority (52%) of the respondents were between 22- 24years of age. The students of B.Pharm were 25 (50%), 38% MBBS and 12% B.Sc. Nursing. The overall median score on knowledge regarding hepatitis B Prevention was 13.0 out of maximum score of 29. The association between the knowledge on hepatitis B prevention strategy with level of study and course specialty was 0.74 P>0.05.

Conclusion: The study concluded that the knowledge regarding Hepatitis B prevention among students was inadequate hence, recommends a similar study on a larger scale.

Keywords: Knowledge; Prevention; Hepatitis B; Infection; African.