Knowledge about Hepatitis B and Vaccination Status among Healthcare Workers in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital, Mysuru.
Background: Hepatitis B is a major infectious disease of mankind. It is the most common cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepato cellular carcinoma worldwide. Health professionals are at the most risk. Vaccination against Hepatitis B can prevent this deadly disease. Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the knowledge and status of Hepatitis B vaccination among technicians, nurses and group D workers. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 150 members and the data was analyzed by cross tabulation and Chi square tests. Results: The Knowledge regarding hepatitis b among group D workers was found to be low with a mean score of 2.66. The attitude and practices to prevent transmission of Hepatitis B infection was low among group D workers when compared to nurses and technicians in the hospital. Conclusions: The, Knowledge, Practices and vaccination status among group D workers was poor when compared to technicians and nurses. A considerable amount of improvement in practice is required among health care workers to prevent hepatitis B infection.