Level of Knowledge Regarding Hepatitis-B Immunization Amongst Health Personnel in Delhi, India
J Commun Disease, Vol. 42, 2010
5 Pages Posted: 18 Jul 2014
Date Written: 2010
Abstract
Background: Hepatitis B infection is endemic throughout the world. Government of India started Hepatitis B immunization project for children less than one year of age in 15 cities and 32 selected districts in the country in the year 2002. Objective: To ascertain the level of knowledge regarding Hepatitis B immunization amongst primary care provider working in urban government dispensaries.
Methodology: Out of 12 municipal zones in Delhi [India], one was selected randomly i.e. South Municipal zone and all the 32 government dispensaries operational in this zone were covered. The study subjects were medical officer and health worker female. A single investigator carried out the survey during the period Oct-Dec’ 05 using interview schedule bearing 15-item question based on WHO & GOI guidelines & broadly divided into three sub-groups and analysis carried through software statistical package.
Results: Out of 172, a total of 141 [82%] primary care provider i.e. 73 medical officers and 68 health worker female were contacted. The overall mean score amongst medical officer for Hepatitis B infection, Hepatitis B immunization & Cold chain component for Hepatitis B vaccine was found to be 89.33 [SD 1.21], 87.25 [SD 1.56] and 40.80 [SD 3.07]. Similarly for health worker female, mean score was found to be 59.75 [SD 2.08], 97.37 [SD 0.85] & 70.0 [SD 2.77] respectively.
Discussion: A clear difference was found between theoretical and practical knowledge aspect on the subject area with cold chain being identified as a weak link. It needs to be emphasized that Hepatitis B is “freeze-sensitive” vaccine and should be strictly preserved between 2-8 C temperatures as freezing has a detrimental effect on its potency.
Keywords: hepatitis, awareness, knowledge, perception, sources, cold chain, vaccine, health worker, doctor, training, developing country, infant, mother, infection, jaundice
JEL Classification: I00
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation