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

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.