| Abstrakt: |
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are common worldwide. It is estimated that about 3% of the world’s population have HCV. It is considered as a major global public health problem, which called a silent disease because people can get infected and not know it. Some people, who get infected with Hepatitis C are able to clear, or get rid of the virus, but most people who get infected develop a chronic. The aim of this study is to assessment knowledge; attitude and practice of secondary schools students towards hepatitis C in Baquba district, Iraq. A cross sectional descriptive study carried out on 516 contributors. Samples were randomly selected from 10 secondary schools in urban and semi-urban parts of Baquba district. Equal number of participants were selected (258 male and 258 female) from urban and semi-urban settings. Close ended questionnaire was designed, checked and used toaccess knowledge, attitude and practice of the participants towards hepatitis C infection. The results showed that the response rate in this survey was 100%, while mean number of “Yes” answers to knowledge, attitude and practice questions were 53%, 43% and 49%, respectively. In urban setting, the respondent has nearly two times (1.84 odds) higher knowledge, positive attitude and practice than semi-urban participants. 5th – 6th class (group III) respondents in both setting have positive attitudes toward hepatitis C than 1st – 2nd class (group I). Furthermore, it was observed that group III with more knowledge and positive attitude and practice about hepatitis C disease and it’s a positive trend. Generally, the study observed partial knowledge, attitude and practice towards hepatitis C. Overall semi-urban respondents knew less than urban and its might be due to quality of education, social structure and socioeconomic status of families. Generally, this study showed the knowledge, attitudes and practice about hepatitis C among secondary schools students was partial, and lack of understanding about basics of infection control and prevention of hepatitis C transmission. Extensive health education campaigns toward hepatitis C are necessary for students and especially to residents of semi-urban and rural areas was recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
