KNOWLEDGE OF MEDICAL, DENTAL AND NURSING STUDENTS OF FIRST YEAR REGARDING HEPATITIS B AT A PUBLIC SECTOR MEDICAL UNIVERSITY.

Objectives: To assess the knowledge about hepatitis B and to determine the common sources of seeking information regarding hepatitis B amongst the medical, dental and nursing students of first year at Liaquat Universityof Medical Health Sciences Jamshoro Sindh Pakistan.Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted amongst the first year students of medical, dental and nursing at Liaquat University of Medical Health Sciences Jamshoro. The total respondents assessed in study were450. Data were collected when the student came up for administration of Hepatitis B vaccination in the Department of Community Medicine. Data were analyzed by using SPSS software and descriptive analysis was carriedout.Results: This study revealed that 89.55% of the study participants had heard about hepatitis B. Out of which57.77% knew that virus was a cause of hepatitis B. Their knowledge about various factors related with hepatitis Bwas as under: 20.8% knew mother to child transmission, 22.6% had idea of unsafe blood transfusion as a riskfactor, 22% knew reused needles and unsafe sex as risk factors. Seventy six percent were aware of vaccinationagainst hepatitis B, 27.11% had idea of hepatitis B vaccine dose, 4.44% said that the vaccine provided immunityfor 10 to 15 years. The most common source of information was TV.We observed significant difference in the knowledge about hepatitis B among students of the different faculties.Conclusion: This study reflects that the knowledge regarding Hepatitis B was assessed very low among the students incoming in the medical, dental and nursing profession. There is over all need of public health awarenessregarding this very crucial healthKey Words: Knowledge ,Hepatitis B, Unsafe blood transfusion, Liaquat University of Medical health SciencesJamshoro.