HEPATITIS B & C

AWARENESS AMONG WOMEN

Abstract

Hepatitis B and C are serious global public health problems. Objectives:
The objective of this study is to assess the knowledge regarding HBV and HCV transmission,
risk factors and prevention among women attending the OBS/GYN clinic. Study Design:
Descriptive observational study. Period: 1st January 2012 up to 31st of December 2013.
Setting: Gynae Department Lady Dufferin Hospital Karachi and Al Tibiri Medical College Isra
University Karachi campus. Methods: Total 123 patients were included in study. All the patients
who were admitted during the study period from gynecological surgery were included in the
study while gynae patients who were managed conservatively were excluded from the study.
Blood testing for HbsAg and Anti HCV were done through ELISA. Data was analyzed through
SPSS version 11. Results: Total 123 women were included in the study. Only 56(45.5%)
of women and 61(49.5%) of women knew that hepatitis B and C affects which part of body
respectively.59 (47.9%) and 22(17.8%) women knew that hepatitis B and C are major health
problem respectively. 89(72.3%) and 69(56%) of women knew that Hepatitis B and HCV can
be transmitted by blood and blood products respectively.45 (36.5%) and 54(43.9%) women
answered correctly regarding transmission of HBV and HCV from mother to child respectively
69(56%). 41 (33.3%) women and 35(28.4%) women answered correctly regarding treatment of
HBV and HCV through medicines. Only 51(41.4%) and 56(45.5%) women knew that vaccine
is available for HBV and no vaccine is present for HCV28 (22.7%). Source of information was
media in 62(50.4%) women, relatives and friends in 40(32.5%) women and literature in 21(17%).
Conclusion: Our study found that the knowledge about hepatitis B and C among women
attending OBGYN clinic is inadequate.