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PUBLIC AWARENESS TOWARDS HEPATITIS B AMONG GENERAL POPULATION, IN SAUDI ARABIA

Waleed Khelaiwi Alshamari, Ahmed Abdullah Alakeel, Yousef Ahmed Aljadaan, Sultan Masoud Mohammed Almasoud, Omar Ahmed Alsaqabi, Mohammed Husain Al Abkary, Muntadar A. Alsalman, Noor Hasan Al Bazroon, Habib Ehab Almoumen

Background: Hepatitis Virus B is a major health problem worldwide as well as in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) as it is one of the most common contagious infection and cost effective. Objectives: To Evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of general population toward hepatitis B infection in KSA. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 500 Saudi participants aged between 20-60 years old. Participants were conducted during the period from December 2018 till January 2019 and the questionnaire was consisted of 4 parts including the demographics information and KAP. Results: 500 participants have filled the surveys. The age of the participants were from 20-60 years/old and the majority were between 20- and 30 years old (33.8%). Regarding the knowledge, (87%) have heard about hepatitis disease and (81%) know that hepatitis B affects the liver. Regarding the attitude, (82.8%) will visit physician if they get hepatitis. But unfortunately, only (56%) have been vaccinated against hepatitis B. Conclusion: The level of KAP toward hepatitis B was moderately acceptable in most of our sample but with insufficient practice among most of participants. More campaigns should be conducted increase the level of awareness towards the disease. Keywords: KAP, Hepatitis B, Saudi Arabia.

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