Knowledge and Perceptions of Prescribers Regarding Hepatitis B & C Management: A Cross-sectional Study from Pakistan

Abstract

Objective: The main objective of the study was to assess the knowledge and perceptions of prescribers regarding management of hepatitis B & C in the 2 major cities of Pakistan: Islamabad (the national capital) and Rawalpindi (its twin city). Methodology: A structured questionnaire designed with the help of national standard treatment guidelines for hepatitis B & C was distributed to a random sample of 400 prescribers. The data were collected, computed and analyzed using SPSS, version 16 program and descriptive analysis was conducted. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests (p≤0.05) were used to compare the knowledge scores of prescribers about standard treatment by profession, length of experience, type of health-care facility, gender, sector and city. Results: The median score for overall knowledge of prescribers regarding treatment 16 was (range 12-24). Eighty percent of the prescribers (n=320) had the opinion that lack of availability and implementation of STGs in hospitals is an important factor which affects overall cost of hepatitis B and C treatment. Forty one percent (n=167) of the prescribers identified oral Lamivudine 100mg/day as a most effective drug in treatment of hepatitis B and C whereas seventy five percent (n=300) of the respondents agreed that 400mg ribazole PO BID is a safe dose for anti HBV and HCV treatment. Conclusion: The results of the present study concluded that the knowledge of prescribers working in public and private healthcare facilities regarding standard treatment regimen of hepatitis B & C was not adequate but they had positive perceptions towards adherence to the standard treatment guidelines linked to their availability in their healthcare facilities to promote effective management of hepatitis B & C.