KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE REGARDING PREVENTION OF HEPATITIS B AMONG NON-GAZZETED STAFF OF TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL IN PRIVATE SECTOR, LAHORE

A descriptive and cross sectional study was conducted among non-gazzeted staff of a Tertiary Care Hospital in Lahore from January 2012 to July 2012. Objective: The objective was to assess the level of knowledge and practice regarding prevention of Hepatitis B and explore the gaps between knowledge and actual practice for disease prevention. Methodology: A sample of fifty six non-gazzeted staff (appointed 3 months earlier on regular basis) was taken through systematic random sampling. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used after taking verbal consent from the respondents. Results: Out of total fifty six, 26 (46.4%) were females. The mean age was 27.45 ± 08.41 years and 34 (60.7%) were having income / capita / month Rs. 3000. Good knowledge regarding this viral disease was present in 30 (53.6%) respondents. But 47 (83.9%) were well informed that disease spreads through blood transfusion and from person to person. Also 48 (85.7%) were aware that needle stick injury can lead to disease transmission. Knowledge of disease transmitting sexually was positive among 44 (78.6%) respondents and through unhygienic dental procedure was positive among 45 (80.4%) respondents. Regarding practices 25 (44.6%) had full course of immunization and 53 (94.6%) were properly disposing off used needles and 31 (55.4%) were insisting on change of razors at barber’s shop. It was also observed that 38 (67.9%) respondents were using gloves before handling the instruments and 28 (50%) got accidental needle prick in last calendar year. Out of total fifty six, 46 (82.14%) had satisfactory / good knowledge. However paramedics as compared to auxiliary staff showed good knowledge (P-value = .0036) and also good practice (P-value = .0031). These significant statistics of the hospital staff are very encouraging, as they revealed satisfactory / good knowledge (82.14%) satisfactory / good practice (69.94%), so the gap of 12.50% can be overcome by continuous awareness campaigns by hospital authorities. However full course of immunization doesn’t depend on income / capita / month (P-value = 0.0602) and on gender (P-value = 0.775). Conclusion: The present study concludes that there is a gap between knowledge and practices among non-gazzeted staff. Repeated awareness sessions should be launched to overcome this gap and subsidized full immunization package should be provided at recruitment time to hospital non-gazzeted staff.