Hepatitis B Virus Infection: Knowledge and Awareness Among the Patients Admitted in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Bangladesh

Objectives: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Bangladesh. An adequate level of knowledge and awareness among the general population is essential in prevention and control of the infection. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional case-control study was conducted among patients who were admitted to our hospital. Data was collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire and analyzed by using SPSS. Results: Out of 240 respondents included in this study, 120 were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive and 120, HBsAg-negative. The study shows that as compared to HBsAg-negative counterparts, HBsAg positivity rate was found to be higher in illiterate patients and among farmers, retailers, and day-laborer groups. A significant fraction did not have any knowledge about consequences of hepatitis B infection. More than two-thirds of the patients from both groups were unaware of transmission mode and vaccination of hepatitis B. About one-third (30%) of the respondents mixed up hepatitis A with hepatitis B. Conclusion: The majority of the patients included in this study had an idea about the cause of HBV infection. However, they had substantial misunderstandings about its mode of transmission and consequences. Hence, a specifically-targeted plan has to be formulated and implemented to increase the awareness about hepatitis B.