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Habiba et al

Greener Journal of  Medical Sciences Vol. 2 (4), pp. 077-083, August 2012

ISSN: 2276-7797

Research Paper

Manuscript Number:GJMS1221

Knowledge, attitude and behavior of health care workers regarding hepatitis B infection in primary health care, Kuwait.

¹Soad A. Habiba, ²Ghadeer A. Alrashidi, ³Afaf E.M. Al-otaibi, ⁴Ghizayel R. Almutairi, ⁵Gamal Makboul and *⁶Medhat K. El-Shazly

¹MRCGP, Mishref Family Medicine Cencer, PHC, MOH, Kuwait. soad_habiba@ hotmail. com

²MRCGP, South Khitan Polyclinic, PHC, MOH, Kuwait. ghadeer20-11@ hotmail. com

³MRCGP, Minahi Al-Asaimi Clinic, PHC, MOH, Kuwait. dr-afaf.eb@ hotmail. com

⁴MRCGP, South Farosse Center, PHC, MOH, Kuwait. dr.ghizayel@ live. com

⁵MD, Department of Community medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt & Department of Health Information and Medical records, Ministry of Health, Kuwait. gamalmakboul@ hotmail. com

⁶MD, Department of Medical Statistics, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Egypt. & Department of Health Information and Medical records, Ministry of Health, Kuwait. medshaz@ yahoo. com

*Corresponding Author’s Email: medshaz@ yahoo. com

Abstract:

Background: Health care workers are a high-risk group for acquiring hepatitis B virus infection and for transmission to their patients and close contacts
Objective: The aim of the present study is to study health care workers’ knowledge, attitudes and behavior towards hepatitis B virus transmission and protection in Kuwait.
Methods: This study was a cross-sectional survey that was conducted in all primary health center located in two randomly selected heath regions in Kuwait. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was distributed to all currently working health care workers in the selected centers.
Results: Within 534 participants, 76.2% were aware that Hepatitis B can be acquired from patient to health workers, 57.7% knew that Hepatitis B can be transmitted from health workers to patients, 81.5% were aware about vaccination, 65.0% knew the complete vaccination schedule, 44.4% knew the intervals between doses. Also, 74.7% have ever been vaccinated. Among them, 84.0% received the complete doses. Lastly, 73.8% declared that they need more information regarding hepatitis B.
Conclusions: Health care workers in primary health care showed high to partial levels of knowledge and attitudes, regarding hepatitis B virus infection and vaccination with important gaps which need to be strengthened especially among non-vaccinated group

Key words: Health care workers, hepatitis B, knowledge, attitude, behavior.

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Journal Name : citation_journal : Greener Journal of  Medical Sciences