Altaf Ahmed Talpur, Nazar Ali Memon, Roshan Ali Solangi, Ali Akber Ghumro.
Knowledge and attitude of patients towards hepatitis B and C.
Pak J Surg Jan ;23(3):162-5.

Objective: To assess the level of knowledge and attitude of patients towards Hepatitis B & C in a public sector hospital, especially with reference to educational level. Design & Duration: Descriptive and cross sectional study, from April to August 2006. Setting: Surgical Unit-1, Nawabshah Medical College Hospital, Nawabshah. Patients: All patients admitted in Surgical Unit-1, NMCH, during the study period. Methodology: Data was collected on a preformed questionnaire. Results were compiled and compared with national and international literature. Results: During the study period 500 admitted patients were asked questions regarding Hepatitis B and C. Amongst them 280 were males and 220 females. Only 10% males and 5.9% females were educated beyond primary level, an i 20.4% males and 10% females to primary level, while 76% were illiterate. Patients educated beyond primary level had more knowledge than illiterate persons about the condition, especially regarding the cause, organ of involvement, prevalence in society, presentation, and vaccination for Hepatitis B. One alarming thing found in this study was lack of knowledge about risk factors, especially amongst illiterate persons. There was also lack of responsibility and poor attitude of even educated persons towards the treatment of these diseases. Both literate and illiterate persons were following customs of community and relying on homeopathic or herbal medicines for their treatment. Conclusion: There is a significant lack of knowledge and poor attitude ofpeople towards Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in this area.

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