Vol. 14 No. 1 (2022): Archives of Public Health
Public Health

Knowledge of hepatitis B among healthy population in community

Monika Neloska
Ss Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health Doctoral Studies, Republic of North Macedonia
Viktor Isjanovski
Ss Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Faculty of Medicine, Republic of North Macedonia
Igor Isjanovski
Ss Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Faculty of Medicine, Republic of North Macedonia

Published 2022-06-23

Keywords

  • hepatitis B,
  • virus,
  • knowledge,
  • transmission

How to Cite

1.
Neloska M, Isjanovski V, Isjanovski I. Knowledge of hepatitis B among healthy population in community. Arch Pub Health [Internet]. 2022 Jun. 23 [cited 2024 Apr. 20];14(1). Available from: https://id-press.eu/aph/article/view/6039

Abstract

Hepatitis B is the world’s most common blood‑borne viral infection, accounting for 2 billion infections, 350 million carriers, and 6 lakh deaths annually. Aim of the paper is to determine the level of knowledge among healthy population in North Macedonia regarding Hepatitis B virus infection. Material and methods: A community‑based cross‑sectional study was undertaken. Questionnaire was administered to 600 healthy individuals, who heard about hepatitis B. Data handled and analyzed by using statistical package SPSS. Results: The profile of those who give the correct answer regarding the cause of hepatitis B that it is a virus are women (65.3%), aged 40 to 49 (42.8%), by nationality are Macedonian, have higher education (52.8%), 92.8% live in urban areas, 74.3% are married, employed (79.2%) and have a moderate monthly income (68.9). About one‑third of the sample said that loss of appetite, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting also associated with hepatitis B. There is a significant difference in knowledge related to early (prodromal) (symptoms such as cold and flu - fever, runny nose, cough) symptoms of hepatitis infection. Only 17.7% give the correct answer that they register, and 81.7% do not. Jaundice is one of the common symptoms of hepatitis, 32.2% give the correct answer, and 25.8% of the symptoms that are present and common are nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite. Conclusions: Important knowledge deficits about the routes of hepatitis B transmission/prevention were identified. Continued efforts should be made to develop and implement hepatitis B educational campaigns/health promotion for these communities.

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