Knowledge and practice towards hepatitis B infection among medical and health science students who are starting clinical attachment in haramaya university, ethiopia

Introduction: Hepatitis B (HB) is a serious infection that affects liver and caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV). HB is a serious global public health problem and the health professionals are most at risk. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge and practices about transmissions and prevention of hepatitis B among medical and health science students on clinical attachment in Haramaya University.

Methods:A cross sectional study was conducted among 322 health science and medical students who are starting clinical attachment (year II, III, IV, V and IV) from February 1-15, 2013. Study participants were selected using systematic sampling technique. Self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect information.  logistic regression was carried out  to examine the relationship between the outcome variable (mean knowledge and practice) and selected socio-demographic factors.

Result:Out of 322 distributed questionnaires, 322 were returned with a response rate of 100.0%.. Majorities (95.3%) of students were not fully vaccinated against Hepatitis B and 48.4% of the students were not aware about the availability of post exposure prophylaxis for HB. Mean scores for knowledge and practice were 11.52 ± 2.37 and 2.76 ± 1.1 respectively. Significant and positive linear correlations between knowledge-practice (r = 0.173, p = 0.002) was observed.

Conclusion: This study indicates that lack of awareness about Hepatitis B, its route of transmission and modes of prevention among the medical students entering into the profession. Similarly, 95.3% the students were not fully vaccinated against Hepatitis B, which makes them vulnerable to the disease. So this study population are at high risk of proffissional hazards need to be vaccinated before they are starting their clinical attachments.