Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Hepatitis B & C among Dental Surgeons of Khyber College of Dentistry (KCD) Peshawar and Bolan Medical College (BMC) Quetta.
Journal Title: Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research (BJSTR) - Year 2017, Vol 1, Issue 6
Abstract
Viral hepatitis B and C are a major health concern worldwide, with 170 million people chronically infected and at risk of liver cancer, cirrhosis or liver failure. The modes of transmission include intravenous drug use, blood products, body fluids, tattooing, surgical procedures and sexual intercourse. Thus Health Care Professionals have a high exposure to HBV and HCV infection and are at risk to it. A cross-sectional quantitative survey on 84 House Officers was conducted in Dental Surgeons of Khyber College of Dentistry and Bolan Medical College through a semi-structured questionnaire. Out of total 84 subjects 44 were male and 40 were female, with mean age 24.7+ 1.44. The subjects had good level of knowledge regarding disease transmission, prevention and treatment, which was from 85-90%, generally positive attitudes toward patient care was 67.9% and 59.5% consider doctors at risk of infection. Over all.53% consider media as most convenient source of information. Needle prick was high as 48.3%. 91.7% candidates were vaccinated and some of them attained few lectures regarding hepatitis. Good knowledge which can be improves by formal training and follow of the preventive measures in dental care procedures. Medical and dental health care professional are more vulnerable to various infections like hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses, staphylococci, streptococci, herpes simplex virus types 1, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), mumps, influenza, rubella and other prevalent infectious agents [1]. Hepatitis has become one of the major health care problem of the world with about 170 million patients are chronically infected with hepatitis C (HCV) with 3-4 million new infections each year and 8000-10000 death occur each year. About 3% of the world population is affected by hepatitis C virus [2]. Worldwide, an estimated two billion people have been infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV), and more than 350 million have chronic liver infections [3]. World Hepatitis Day observed May 19th aims to raise global awareness of hepatitis B and hepatitis C and encourage prevention, diagnosis and treatment [4]. Pakistan is also facing the brunt of this disease and reported prevalence of HCV about 4-7% and that of HBV is about 3-4% by different surveys reported from country [5,6]. The incidence of new cases of HBV is decreasing worldwide after universal vaccination [7]. Lack of education and awareness regarding its spread are the main factors contributing to this disease [8]. An estimated 100 million individuals worldwide are chronically infected with HCV. High prevalence rates have been found in Southeast Asian countries, such as Thailand, Malaysia and India. In Pakistan, the sero-prevalence of HCV is 6.7% in women and 1.3% in children [9]. The virus is mainly transmitted through transfusion of contaminated blood and blood products, sexual contacts, intravenous drug users, traditional health practice is also common in the region. It is an occupational hazard for health care providers and require adherence to universal precautions [10]. The objective of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding Hepatitis B and C among Dental surgeons and to compare the Knowledge, attitudes and practices among house officers of the two different public Sector Medical/Dental colleges.
Authors and Affiliations
Fazal Rehman Babar
Keywords
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- EP ID EP572835
- DOI 10.26717/BJSTR.2017.01.000488
- Views 243
- Downloads 0
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