Knowledge and Awareness Regarding Hepatitis B among Medical Students in Kabul, Afghanistan: Cross-Sectional Study

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Published: Jan 21, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.60141/ajid.81
Keywords:
Viral hepatitis B, Knowledge, Prevention, Afghanistan

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Sayed Hussain Amiri
Depatment of Paraclinic, Faculty of Medicine, Shafa Institute of Higher Education, Kabul, Afghanistan
Sayed Mussa Danish
Medical Technology Department, Razi institute of higher education, Kabul, Afghanistan
Sayed Jawad Asghari
Research center, Razi institute of higher education, Kabul, Afghanistan
Muhammad Qadar Adel
Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Spinghar Institute of Higher Education, Kabul, Afghanistan

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) impose a major public health problem with an increased risk of occupational exposure among unvaccinated health care workers. We aimed to determine the level of knowledge and awareness of medical, midwifery, dentistry and medical technology students regarding hepatitis B virus and vaccination in Kabul, Afghanistan.


Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in three medical institutions and universities using a convenient sampling in Afghanistan in 2023. A Structured self-administered questionnaire were used regarding awareness about prevention, transmission, diagnosis, and treatment and vaccination availability for HBV.


Results: A total of 200 students participated, comprising 106 (53.0%) males and 94 (47.0%) females, with an almost even distribution among the fields of study. 63.5% of participants had correct knowledge regarding prevention, transmission antigen and anti-body, treatment of HBV.


Conclusion: The findings indicate a concerning gap in vaccination coverage and knowledge dissemination among medical students. Enhancing educational programs and implementing comprehensive vaccination initiatives are essential to improve awareness and safety practices related to hepatitis B infection. Future longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate the impact of academic interventions on students' knowledge and vaccination rates.

Article Details

How to Cite
Amiri, S. H., Danish, S. M., Asghari, S. J., & Adel, M. Q. (2025). Knowledge and Awareness Regarding Hepatitis B among Medical Students in Kabul, Afghanistan: Cross-Sectional Study. Afghanistan Journal of Infectious Diseases, 3(1), 83–90. https://doi.org/10.60141/ajid.81
Issue
Vol. 3 No. 1 (2025): Third Volume, First issue, january 2025
Section
Research Article
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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