HEPATITIS B VIRUS AND UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS: A STUDY ON LEVELS OF AWARENESS IN UNIVERSITIES ACROSS KARACHI

Abstract

Background: To assess awareness levels of Hepatitis B virus infection, transmission, treatment and prevention in medical and nonmedical students of Karachi. Methods: Undergraduate students in 6 medical and non-medical universities were randomly approached to fill out a questionnaire. A sample size of 530 students was collected and data was analyzed using SPSS 20 software and chi square tests for significance. Results: Of the 530 students interviewed, 361(68.1%) and 169(31.9%) were identified as medical and non-medical students respectively. Significantly greater knowledge on modes of transmission were noted in medical students as well as overall levels of awareness of Hepatitis B virus, (p=0.001) and (p=0.003) respectively. Conclusion: Both medical and non-medical students showed a moderate level of awareness of Hepatitis B virus, its modes of transmission, treatment and preventive measures. Medical students showed an overall greater level of awareness.