Knowledge, attitude and practice towards hepatitis B among the residents in Dhaandhoo island, Maldives

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B is an infectious disease which is injurious for Human liver. In Maldives twenty leading causes of death from all ages in 2014 Health Report stated that, 17th leading cause was diseases of liver, of which 10 male and 5 females were dead. 2006-2014 statistics of G.A Dhandhoo Health Center states that, out of 67 detected cases of Hb, 36 were males and 31 were females. Aim: To assess factors that influence spreading Hepatitis B among the residents in Dhaandhoo Island, Maldives. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Dhaandhoo Island, Maldives. Study was conducted among the age group between 20 to 40 years old male and female who are living in Dhaandhoo and 100 people were selected as a sample size from target population. Results: 92% respondents mentioned that, they have some information about HBV. 59.8% participants replied that HBV was caused by virus. Participants replied less than mean score (mean <2.2174) on the statement that they were not at risk of getting HBV. Majority of the participants were reacted above mean score (mean>3.65) that the HBV vaccine helps to prevent from getting HBV. However, vast majority of the participants 55.4% responded that they never received vaccine against HBV and 51.1% were never attended any information session on HBV to get information on Hepatitis. Conclusion: Result from current study shows maximum numbers of people believe that they were at risk of getting HBV. In contrast, quite high number of respondents strongly agreed that HBV vaccine helps to prevent from getting HBV but vast majority of the participants responded that they had never received vaccine against HBV. Moreover, the survey indicates that large numbers of subjects were never attended any information session on HBV. Therefore, in the light of the result it is important to run an extensive health education program and encourage vaccination to prevent further spreading of HBV within the community.