Knowledge, Awareness and Attitudes About Hepatitis B Infection and Its Vaccine among Health Care Workers at a Tertiary Care Centre in Eastern India

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major health problem worldwide. The aim was to

assess the knowledge, awareness and attitudes about HBV infection and its vaccine among HCWs at a

tertiary care centre in eastern India.

Method: The study was carried out among 210 numbers of randomly selected HCWs of IMS and SUM

Hospital. Answer to questionnaire about different aspects of HBV infection and its vaccine were assessed.

Results: Majority of the participants were females (90%) and within the age group 15-25. A large majority

(> 95 %) of the participants were aware of HBV infection and vaccination and all these persons have been

vaccinated against HBV. Most of the health care workers (> 90 %) were aware that hepatitis B spread

through infected blood, infected razors and vertical transmission. When asked that if one is vaccinated

against HBV & gets a needle prick injury, only 5% correctly said that nothing needs to be done if one is

adequately vaccinated. When asked if one is not vaccinated & gets needle prick from a HBV infected person,

then majority (89 %) of the HCWs said one need to take HBV immunoglobulin alone. The participants had

another question which was whether there is the need for booster dose after completion of vaccination, only

37% of the HCWs correctly.

Conclusion: There is very good awareness and knowledge regarding HBV infection and its vaccine among

the HCWs. This is probably due the practice of universal and free vaccination that the hospital follows.