Cross sectional study on awareness and risk perception about hepatitis b infection among auxillary health care personnel in an urban area of Andhra Pradesh

Introduction: Hepatitis B virus infection is the tenth leading cause of death worldwide. The most common mode of transmission in healthcare settings is through contaminated blood and blood products. There is increased risk of HBV infection to health care personnel like auxillary healthcare personnel as chances of exposure during invasive diagnostic, therapeutic procedures. Objective to assess the awareness and risk perception about Hepatitis B virus infection among AHCPs. Materials and Methods: A hospital based cross sectional study was conducted in G Pulla Reddy Dental College and Hospital Kurnool Andhra Pradesh. A total of190 AHCP from various cadres like lab technicians, laundry personnel, housekeeping staff and hygienists were contacted for the study and among them 160 participated in the study. A standard prevalidated multiple choice questionnaire was used in our study to collect the data. Results: The response rate for awareness about HBV infection was around 92.03% and for the risk perception was about 68.06%. Regarding the information about awareness on HBV infection 96.8% of the study subjects responded were aware that blood and its products are the common modes of HBV transmission. 74.2% of them knew that HBV infection results in liver cancer and 94.2% responded that contaminated syringes and needles will also transmit HBV infection. Conclusion: clear management policies with regard to advocacy on awareness, protection and precautions in the form screening and vaccination programmes will ensure safety of the health care personnel. Pre-placement and periodic medical examination and training programmes should be conducted to maintain high standards in health care.