Abstract

Background and Aims: The working conditions of Health care workers (HCW’S)expose them for a constant threat of contracting and spreading hepatitis B (HBV) and C virus(HCV) not only to their patients but family members as well. The aim of this study was to assessthe knowledge and attitude toward hepatitis B and C infection among the health-care workersand correlate the level of awareness to their behavior towards prevention of the disease. StudySettings: The study was conducted in Rashid Latif medical college and its two affiliated hospitals(Arif memorial teaching hospital and Hameed Latif Hospital). Study Design: Descriptive crosssectional study. Methodology: A closed ended questionnaire was designed which consistsof questions for evaluating the knowledge and attitude of the participants regarding hepatitisB and C infection. Sampling was done by convenient method. 350 participants took part inthe study, which includes physicians, nurses and lab Technicians. Using the SPSS 16, we didstatistical analysis. Results: Total 350 health care workers filled the forms. 52.6 %( 184) of themwere nurses with 25.7% (90) physicians, and Lab workers were 21.7 %( 74). The mean age ofthe participants was 25.9 years with a range from 17-59 years. The service length of 73.2% ofhealth care workers was noted to be 1-5 year. (97.7%) participants know about hepatitis B andC. 88.6% identified blood and blood products, needles and sharps and 68.6% marked sexualintercourse routes of transmission. 56% gave opinion that Hepatitis B and C is a noso-comialinfection. 70.3% reported that both infections are widely transmitted like HIV/AIDS. Almost all ofthe participants (83.7%) mentioned that they are in a position to acquire these infections becauseof their duty with patients 88% of the respondents reported vaccination against Hepatitis B asa tool of prevention. Proper disposal of sharps, a needle and blood product as a preventingmeasure was also written by 88%of participants. A lot of them believe that transmission of theseinfections can be prevented by avoiding needle/sharps injury (73.7%) and casual sex (61.1%).82.9 mentioned wearing of gloves while in contact with patients and 80.6% said that adequatedisposal of sharps are the best ways of prevention. Complete vaccination for the hepatitis Bwas reported by 47.9 %( 174) with 36 %( 126) was partially vaccinated and 14.8 %( 52) were notvaccinated at all. No specific reason was identified for lack of vaccination. It is noted that morefemales (87.7%) and physician (88.9%) and Nurses (88.2%) have completed the vaccinationschedule than the Lab. Technicians (75%). Conclusion: There is a need of extensive healtheducation campaign for training of HCWs to control and prevent the spread of these infections.