KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF PREVENTION OF HEPATITIS B VIRUS

ABSTRACT

Hepatitis B is the inflammation of the liver caused by hepatitis B virus, it can cause scarring of the liver, liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Factors that predispose to hepatitis B virus include infection (viral, bacteria, parasitic) and non-infection (auto immune disorders, drugs and toxins excess alcohol intake). It can be transmitted with contaminated body fluids. This study aims to assess the knowledge and practice of prevention of hepatitis B among undergraduate nursing students in University of Benin, Edo state. The Nursing department, University of Benin, Edo state, was used as the research setting. The objective of this research work aims at assessing the knowledge of hepatitis B, knowledge of prevention of hepatitis B and practice of prevention of hepatitis B. The research design used was a Descriptive cross sectional design method. The total population for the research was one hundred and ninety four. This was arrived at using convenience sampling technique,. A Questionnaire was used to obtain data relevant to the research objectives. Parameters on social demographical characteristics, knowledge on hepatitis B, methods of prevention of hepatitis B were included on the questionnaire. The study showed that 84.0% (n=163) of the respondents had good knowledge of hepatitis B while 16.0% (n=31) had poor knowledge, 93.8% (n=182) had a good knowledge on the prevention of hepatitis B while 12% had poor knowledge, 53.0% (n=103) had good practice of prevention of hepatitis B while 47.0% ( n=91) had poor practice of prevention of hepatitis B. The study therefore recommends that future research increase sample size and extend it to other departments of the school and other universities. It also recommends that seminars, lectures and workshops be organized to improve the knowledge and practice of prevention of undergraduate nursing students.