OBJECTIVES: To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice about hepatitis B among patients in a tertiary care hospital

METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was carried out over a period of six months involving the inpatients of 18 -59 years of both genders excluding the patient with severe illness and liver transplantation, pediatrics, and geriatrics. The validated KAP questionnaires about hepatitis B were administered, which consisted of 10 knowledge, 8 attitude, and 6 practiced items. A detailed analysis of KAP on Hepatitis B was conducted and scores were documented finally descriptive analysis was performed.

RESULTS: A total of 82 patients were included, with equal gender distribution with an average age of 41 ±3.147 years. About 57 [69. 2%] patients were literate and with low socioeconomic status [n=50, 60. 97%]. The average overall KAP was found to be 16.65± 6.726 out of 40 points of which majority were having poor knowledge (n=53,64. 6%), moderate attitude (n=64,78%), poor practice(n=64,78%) and with poor overall KAP scores(n=55,67.07%). More than half of the patients (n= 48,58.53%) are completely unaware of this disease condition. The socio-economic status (p-value=0. 0315) and educational level (p-value =0. 0015) were found to be statistically significant risk factors that influence overall KAP scores.

CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients had poor knowledge, practice, and average attitude regarding Hepatitis B. Education and socioeconomic status had a statistically significant risk association on the overall KAP score. Implementation of mass immunization campaigns and fostering proper public awareness programs can enlighten the public about the disease and thereby limit the spread of infectious hepatitis diseases to a greater extent.