Investigation of knowledge, attitude and behavior of collage students toward hepatitis B infection and vaccination

Aim: Our first aim is to detect the knowledge, attitude and behavior of 1850 university students which was identified by randomization about hepatitis B. Our secondary aim is screening the students for HBsAg and antiHBs levels, vaccination of healthy students and directing the hepatitis B carriers and patients to clinics for treatment.Materials and methods: This study is performed on 1428 of 1850 students which were identified by randomization between years 2008-2010 in Çukurova University. Social and demographic features, medical stories, knowledge and attitudes of students toward hepatitis B and its vaccine were investigated by a survey of 15 questions. For detecting the HBs Ag and anti HBs levels, 5 cc blood was drawn from these students. Susceptible individuals had vaccine and the hepatitis B patients were directed to the infectious diseases outpatient clinic.Results: Blood could be drawn from 1395 of 1428 students (97.7%). Anti HBs and HBs Ag positivity rates were 13.8% (n=193) and 1.2% (n=17) respectively. One of the patients had both HBs Ag and anti HBs positive. The results showed that knowledge of HBV infection and vaccination among university students and overall vaccination rates were low.Conclusion: Large scale, well planned, multicenter studies should be made to determine the correct prevalence of hepatitis B in Turkey. Programs should be made to increase the knowledge of the society about hepatitis B and other diseases transmitted via blood and adolescent and people who are in the high risk groups in the exception of the universal vaccination program should get vaccine. In addition, physicians and health care workers should take responsibility for the implementation of hepatitis B vaccination and public education programs at high risk collage students.Key words: attitude, behavior, hepatitis B, hepatitis B vaccine, knowledge