Knowledge, attitude, practices, seroprevalence and vaccination status concerning hepatitis B, hepatitis C, human immunodeficiency virus among health care students

Abstract

Aim: Students of all departments that serve patients during their education are in the risk group in terms of parenterally transmitted microorganisms. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge level and serologic status of healthcare students about viral hepatitis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. Methods: A sociodemographic questionnaire consisting of 29 questions was applied to 262 students who presented to the medico-social outpatient clinic between January 2015 and December 2020. Additionally, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B surface antibody (Anti HBs), hepatitis B core antibody (Anti HBc total), hepatitis C virus antibody (Anti HCV), HIV antibody (Anti-HIV) serum levels were investigated. The obtained information was evaluated with descriptive statistics and chi-square test in statistical package for the social sciences package program version 20. Results were given as frequency and percentage. Results: The mean age of the study group (230 female and 32 male) was 21.29 ± 2.2 years. According to the questionnaire, 43.9% of students stated that they had HBV vaccination, while 56.1% of the students stated that they were not vaccinated. The rate of the student who checked antibodies after vaccination was 14.1%. While 74% of students stated that they took lessons about hepatitis risk factors, 26% of students did not take any lessons. According to the laboratory results, Anti HBs positivity was found in 235 students (89.7%). Anti-HBc total positivity was found in 5 students (1.9%). HBsAg positivity was found in 2 students (0.8%). Anti-HCV and Anti-HIV were negative in all our students. Conclusion: Our results indicate that high prevalence of Anti HBs seropositivity among healthcare students. This result can be explained by our successful vaccination program in Turkey. As a preventive medicine perspective, it should be ensured that students studying at these schools should be trained, screened, and guided to become immune.