Anjum Shahid, Afroze Ramzan.
Assessment of knowledge about hepatitis B among health care workers of a tertiary care children hospital.
Pak J Med Res Jan ;47(3):55-7.

Objective: To assess the knowledge about hepatitis B, its complication, mode of transmission and prevention by vaccination in health care workers of a tertiary care children hospital. Methods: The study was conducted in 103 health care workers of a children’s hospital at Karachi during the year, 2006. Health care workers comprised of nurses, laboratory attendants and technicians. A self administered quantitative questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge of the employees regarding hepatitis. Results: Of 212 health care workers (190 nurses, 15 lab technicians, 7 lab attendants), employed at National Institute of Child Health Karachi, 103 were selected for the study. There were 88 females and 15 males. Majority of respondents (80%) stated that they were aware of hepatitis B but over 40% were unaware that it could cause hepatocellular carcinoma or cirrhosis. About 40% had the knowledge about various modes of transmission of the virus and 47% had awareness about immunization against hepatitis B. Over 70% agreed that blood screening should be done for hepatitis B and in their opinion television was the best media for providing education in this respect (62%). Conclusions: Most of the health care workers had knowledge regarding hepatitis B transmission, risk behaviors and prevention. However, there are still some misconceptions regarding the attitudes which reflect a false perception of the disease. This calls for a well-structured health education program.

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