Awareness and Influencing lifestyle modification factors regarding Hepatitis B among non-medical students – Efficacy of an educational package

Among all communicable diseases, Hepatitis B is a highly contagious disease affecting the liver. It spreads through contact with infected blood, saliva, and other bodily fluids. Symptoms may not occur for a few days or longer after contracting the virus and unfortunately public has a lack of awareness about hepatitis B and its risk. 2 billion people have been infected (1 out of 3 people) by hepatitis B in the world. Out of this 240 million people are chronically infected and 10-30 million will become infected each year. Up to a million people die each year from hepatitis B and its complications such as liver cancer. Approximately 2 people die each minute from hepatitis B related complications. According to the study report, India has over 40 million HBV carriers and accounts for 15% of the entire pool of HBV carriers of the world. Thus the researchers wished to conduct a research study on awareness and influencing lifestyle modification factors regarding hepatitis among non-medical students in selected colleges at Bengaluru. A total of 60 non-medical students were selected were recruited randomly. A quasy experimental one-group pre-test and post-test design with a quantitative approach were used. A structured knowledge questionnaire and a checklist developed by the investigator were used to collect data. The study findings showed that 50 students (83.3%) had inadequate awareness, 10 students (16.7%) had moderate awareness and none of the study participants had an adequate level of awareness regarding hepatitis-B. and Out of 9 influencing lifestyle factors 14 (23.3%) students had two factors, 11 (18.3%) students had three factors, 10 (16.7%) had one factor, 8 (13.3%) students had four factors, 7 (11.7%) of them had none of the factors, 6 (10%) of the subjects had six factors, 4 (6.7%) of the subjects had five factors none of the subjects had more than six factors towards influencing lifestyle factors of hepatitis B.