期刊名称：International Journal of Collaborative Research on Internal Medicine & Public Health
电子版ISSN：1840-4529
出版年度：2015
卷号：7
期号：9
出版社：DRUNPP Sarajevo
摘要：Background: Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is affecting 170 million people annually (WHO, 2012) and Pakistan ranks high in chronic hepatitis. HCV is a leading cause of chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma rapidly transmitting as silent killer. Methods: Comparative cross-sectional facility based survey between HCV positive (n = 344) and negative (n = 176) respondents at Taluka Hospital (OPD), Rural District, Sindh using structured questionnaire and open ended questions. Analysis was done by cross-tabulation and Chi-square test. Aim: To improve the knowledge of risk factors of HCV transmission. Objectives: 1. To assess the knowledge regarding risk factors of HCV transmission. 2. To identify the options to avoid the risk factors associated with HCV transmission. Results: A total of 520 respondents having 66% frequency of HCV infection were interviewed. Highest infection was in 21-30 years ages (39.0%) with more infection in urban population (75.6%) and illiterate group (52.9%), followed by farmers (30.5%) and laborer (26.7%). Majority of HCV positive respondents had misperceptions of water (11.3%; P < 0.036), food (10.3%; P = 0.283), heat (10.1%; (P = 0.412), and mosquitoes (9.9%; P < 0.003) as the major factors of HCV transmission. History of therapeutic injections/year (60%; P < 0.0001), surgery (80%; P < 0.009), shaving at barber's shop (64.2%; P < 0.119), sharing tooth brush, razor and miswak, (82%, 77% and 88.1% respectively; P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001) was more in HCV positive respondents. More family deaths due to hepatitis had occurred in HCV positive respondents. The qualitative component reinforced the findings of misperceptions. Respondents suggested launching auto disable, introducing disposable dental/surgical instruments and registering barber's shops with a policy to use new blade and razor for each customer. Conclusion: There is health communication gap while getting care from health professionals during treatment of hepatitis. Health department should ensure health education and awareness sessions to remove the misperceptions of patients and prevention of transmission of the disease
