Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Regarding Hepatitis C Among Adolescents in Multan, Pakistan

Abstract

Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of adolescents regarding Hepatitis C infection in Multan.
Material and Methods: From August 5, 2019, to February 5, 2020, an analytical cross-sectional study was undertaken in both private and government educational institutions in Multan. A sample of 278 participants
was determined, maintaining a 95% confidence internal. The data was collected using a structured
questionnaire with systematic random sampling. Data was analyzed through Chi-square test with a significance level of p<0.05 using SPSS version 22.

Results: Among the total of 278 students, 167 (60.1%)
were males, and 111 (39.9%) were females. The mean age of the participants was 14.8 ± 2.2 years. Out of
these 278 students, 185 (66.5%) were enrolled in classes up to the 10th level, while 93 (33.5%) were pursuing
education in higher classes. A positive history of contact with Hepatitis C patients was reported by 28 (10.1%)
students, injection therapy by 37 (13.3%), and ear/nose piercing by 111 (39.9%). No instances of a history of
surgical procedures, blood transfusions, or tattooing were identified in this study. Adequate knowledge was
observed in 64 (23%), a positive attitude in 18 (6.5%), and good practices were demonstrated by 14 (5%) of
these students.
Conclusion: This study revealed that adolescents exhibited deficiencies in knowledge, attitude, and
practices. The study identified a significant association between poor practices, negative attitudes, and
variables such as gender, age, type of school, occupation, literacy, contact with patients, and ear/nose piercing
(p-value<0.05).