Knowledge, Attitude and Awareness of Hepatitis B Vaccination in Patients Visiting Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi

• Main Authors: Ali Mikdad Hassan, Syeda Marium, Wabiha Zehra Jaffari, Iqra Batool, Umme Rabab
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College 2019-12-01
• Series: Liaquat National Journal of Primary Care
• Subjects: hepatitis b; vaccination awareness; knowledge; attitude
• Online Access: https://journals.lnh.edu.pk/lnjpc/pdf/LNJ%20PC%20Article%207.pdf

Background: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is a major health issue of the developing world, especially in Pakistan. Chronic Hepatitis B leads to an increased risk of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma and is a massive burden on the total health expenditure of the nation. However, in our country people lack knowledge regarding the HBV vaccine and its availability and have various other reasons for not getting vaccinated. The purpose of this research was to observe the attitude of patients visiting Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center towards Hepatitis B vaccination as well as the reasons put forward by those who choose not to get vaccinated. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and awareness regarding HBV vaccination in patients visiting Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center. Methodology: This is a cross sectional study that was conducted among patients who visited Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center. 300 participants were included. The data collection method was a face-to-face interview. Non-probability convenience sampling technique was used to recruit patients. We used a self-structured, close-ended questionnaire based on the Urdu language consisting of a total of 40 questions. Prior written consent was taken. Data entry and data analysis were done by using SPSS Version 20. Results: Out of 300 participants, 191 (63.67%) of respondents had acquired matriculation or higher education while the rest were either just primary pass or illiterate. 216(72%) of the participants were aware that HBV is highly prevalent in Pakistan. 135(45%) considered alcohol and smoking as a cause of HBV. Only 43(14.3%) participants had knowledge regarding the standard dosing regimen of the vaccine. Participants had awareness about prevention. 250 (83.3%) agreed that Hepatitis B vaccination is an effective method of prevention of Hepatitis B, while 59(19.6%) thought that the vaccine itself can cause Hepatitis infection. 190(63.3%) identified cost as a barrier for vaccination. Conclusion: People in Pakistan don’t have adequate knowledge about the mode of transmission of hepatitis, but they have good knowledge about preventive methods. The prevalent attitude is to not get vaccinated due to various reasons. Hence it is very important to spread awareness among people about HBV vaccination.