A Survey on Knowledge and Awareness of Hepatitis B among the slum Dwellers of Bangladesh

Abstract

Hepatitis B is a potentially life-threatening liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B (HB) is a serious global public health problem which affects liver. Hepatitis viruses are the most common cause of hepatitis in the world but other infections, toxic substances (e.g. alcohol, certain drugs), and autoimmune diseases can also cause hepatitis. Slum people are at high risk of Hepatitis B infections. Therefore, awareness is needed to control and prevent the transmission of Hepatitis B. The present study was aimed to assess slum dweller’s knowledge about Hepatitis B and Hepatitis B Virus, their perception of risk factor and their attitude towards patient hepatitis B infected person. It was a survey based study and 569 slum dwellers (both male and female) from Meradiya, Badda, Vashantek, BRP and Kalshi were interviewed with structured questionnaire. Most of the respondents were aged between 15-36 years. In this study all respondents confirmed that they have heard about Hepatitis B. About 48.51% of the slum people were conscious about the organ. Among the respondents, 50.97% said that Hepatitis B vaccine is available. According to 75.75% and 74% of the respondents, Hepatitis B can be transmitted through unprotected sex and from mother to fetus respectively. Among the respondents 72.23% mentioned that Hepatitis B can be transmitted through blood transfusion or by sharing infected needle (73.64%). Majority of them had misconception about the mode of transmission like mosquito bite (44.29%), eating or drinking from same glass or plate (43.06%) and wearing same dress (42.53%). Most the respondents (65.00%) thought that using condom can be a mode of prevention of Hepatitis B and about 66.78% thought by avoiding needle sharing, 60.28% think by increasing knowledge and awareness can help to prevent Hepatitis B. Most respondents showed positive attitude towards infected person. About 79% of them wanted to take care in home or community and 70.47% participants told that they would like to continue relationship with the patient. Since only five slums (Meradiya, Badda, Vashantek, BRP, Kalshi ) are not sufficient to get a satisfactory data about their perception of the disease so we need to collect more data of slum people throughout the country. Government and different health related organization should take necessary steps to increase knowledge and awareness about Hepatitis B virus and its infection.