A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY OF AWARENESS ABOUT HEPATITIS B AMONG NURSING STUDENTS OF MIMS COLLEGE AT VIZIANAGARAM, ANDHRA PRADESH

Context: Hepatitis B is an inflammatory disease of the liver caused by Hepatitis B virus and is a global public health problem. In India the carrier rate of hepatitis B is higher among health care personnel. Nurses are probably the most commonly exposed health care staff exposed to needle prick, injuries and contact with infectious fluids. They are exposed to this risk right from there student career. Objectives: To determine the awareness about HBV, Hepatitis B, its transmission and prevention. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among 119 nursing students with the help of prestructured questionnaire having questions about HBV, Hepatitis B, its transmission and Hepatitis B vaccine. The statistical tools like Z test of difference between two proportions, mean and standard deviation (SD) values were employed. Results: Overall 77% of all the students knew that Hepatitis B is a member of Hepadnavirus family. On an average 81.27% of the students were correct regarding knowledge on Hepatitis B infection. After considering all the statements, answer to transmission of Hepatitis B was observed to be correct in 71.01% of students. Prevention of Hepatitis B by vaccine administration was correctly known to 104 (87.39% of 119) respondents. Conclusions: Majority of the nursing students were aware about Hepatitis B. The knowledge regarding most of the parameters was significantly higher among BSc nursing students as compared to GNM students. It was also observed that there is a lack of knowledge about the hazards of Hepatitis B, its transmission and efficacy of vaccine.