ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE OF STUDENTS AT PUNJAB UNIVERSITY CAMPUS GUJRANWALA REGARDING FACTORS CONTRIBUTING FOR HEPATITIS C

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is affecting 170 million people annually (WHO, 2012) and Pakistan ranks high in chronic hepatitis. HCV is a leading cause of chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma rapidly transmitting as silent killer. Our objectives were to assess the knowledge of students of Punjab University (Gujranwala Campus) about contributing risk factors for HCV infection. And to impart knowledge to students regarding preventive measures in relation to associated risk factors for HCV transmission. Subjects were 100 students our study was Descriptive / cross sectional study. The following data collection tools were developed and used. A consent form was used to get the consent of the respondents wherever possible. A semi structured Questionnaire was used to get information from study population. The tools were pretested and modified according to requirements. In our study the overall questionnaire response was 100 %. Objectives: To assess the knowledge of students of Punjab University (Gujranwala Campus) about contributing risk factors for HCV infection. To impart knowledge to students regarding preventive measures in relation to associated risk factors for HCV transmission. Result and Conclusion: 35% responded that sexual contact was possible mode of transmission of HCV infection followed by 20% and 19% who believed that organ transplant and blood transfusion were the main modes of transmission of virus. 13 % answered that sharing of tooth brushes and razors were main causes of its transmission. Another 13% responded that use of injections was the source of transmission of HCV. 80% believed that infection was transmittable from mother to child. 47% think recipient of blood and blood products are at the risk of developing HCV infection. 23 % thought that people with multiple sex partners were at the risk of developing HCV infection. 70% were of opinion that Vaccination was available against HCV infection and only 28% knew that it was not available. 77% believed that spread of HCV infection could prevented by avoiding blood contacts. 10% said that prevention was possible by avoiding eating together, 5% said by avoiding hand shake and 8% said that it prevention is not possible. 92 % believed that the treatment of HCV infection was available. 8% said there is no treatment of this infection. 77 % said that recurrence of HCV infection was possible and 7 % responded with no. 17 % said that they did not know about this. Summarizing the results of this study, these findings indicate an ambivalent knowledge about HCV infection amongst Punjab University Gujranwala students, many gaps were observed, suggesting the importance of continuous education about HCV in this population to prevent HCV infection as well as discrimination and prejudice towards patients with hepatitis C.