Knowledge, Awareness and Practices Regarding Hepatitis B Virus among Professional College Students: A Questionnaire Based Study

BACKGROUND: The scarcity of regional data on Hepatitis B infected population indicates a lack of vigilant attitude towards the infection caused due to Hepatitis B infection. Therefore, the aim of this survey based study is to understand and assess the overall aptitude of students of Manav Rachna Educational Institutions, Faridabad, Haryana, regarding the knowledge, awareness and practices pertaining to Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection have been attempted. Additionally to understand the awareness amongst the population not pursuing a medical course, their comparative assessment was drawn with the students of medical courses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of six hundred and fifty undergraduate students from Manav Rachna Educational Institutions, Faridabad (Haryana) participated in this study. A cross sectional validated survey study was conducted amongst the undergraduate medical students. The survey consisted of a questionnaire of fifteen questions pertaining to knowledge, awareness and practice of HBV. To further our understanding, the survey was extended to non medical undergraduate students in order to draw a comparable analysis between the general understandings of the viral infection amongst the uninitiated in this field. RESULTS: The questionnaire was designed with equal number of questions regarding knowledge, awareness as well as practical handling of the disease. The survey was designed in a way which could be understood by population pertaining to medical as well as non medical background. The results of survey depicted statistically significant levels of knowledge, awareness and aptitude for practical handling of the disease. Moreover, comparatively, the level of awareness regarding the infectious disease was vastly lacking among the students of non professional courses. CONCLUSION: Authors concluded that the students from the medical background may be involved to spread awareness among the general masses. KEY WORDS: Hepatitis B, knowledge, awareness, practice, students, survey.