KNOWLEDGE OF HOUSEHOLD CONTACTS ABOUT VIRAL HEPATITIS B AND C IN A SAMPLE OF PATIENTS AT BAGHDAD MEDICAL CITY HOSPITALS

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the level of knowledge of household contacts about hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection and the association between knowledge of household contacts and their demographic characteristics.A cross-sectional study was conducted in Baghdad medical city; Gastroenterology and hepatology teaching hospital, gastroenterology and hepatology clinics in Baghdad hospital, from 1st of November 2012-to 30th of April 2013. This study includes 349 of all household contacts above age of 15 years who agreed to participate in the study. Data collection was done by a specially designed questionnaire.The highest rate of contacts 31.2% occurred in the age group of (15-24) years, (52.7%) were females, the highest proportion (51.3%) of contacts had low level of knowledge. There is a significant association between age groups of contacts and their knowledge, (P= 0.034), Gender and their knowledge (P=0.007). There was no association between socioeconomic status and their knowledge (P=2.668).There is great need to raise the level of knowledge of general population and at-risk groups. Focusing on different aspect of hepatitis B and C infections.