Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Male Secondary School Students on Hepatitis B in Abha City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Aim of the Study: To assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections, among secondary school male students in Abha City. Subjects and Methods: A total of 625 students were interviewed using a questionnaire which included sociodemographic variables in addition 36 statements related to HBV. Results: The best correctly answered knowledge items were that hepatitis B is a blood borne infection (60.5%) and it can be transmitted by syringes and contaminated needles (57%). More than half of students had unsatisfactory knowledge regarding hepatitis B (54.7%). Good knowledge was expressed by 3.7% of students. The attitude of 43.7% of students was unsatisfactory, while good attitude was expressed by 4.3% of students. Only 21% avoided using a syringe that has been used before, 27.4% knew that it is necessary to thoroughly wash a wound after being injured by a sharp object and one third of them used gloves while dealing with any sharp objects. Almost one third of students insisted that the barber should use new blades (62.2%) and not to exchange tooth brushes (65%). Students knowledge, attitude and practice scores correlated positively and significantly. Recommendations: School-based health education campaigns are needed to raise the awareness of students regarding the topics of its transmission, prevention and self-protection. Screening of school students regarding their immune status against hepatitis B and administering the vaccine to those who prove susceptible. Repeating this study on female school students and in all school levels (i.e., primary, intermediate and secondary) and allover the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.