Knowledge and Risk Behavior on Hepatitis C Infection among the Laboratory Health Workers In Kathmandu Nepal

Abstract

The analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among laboratory health workers in Kathmandu, Nepal, to assess their knowledge and risk behavior on hepatitis C infection. The study was conducted according to the triangular method of: Face to Face Interviews by using pre-tested semi structured questionnaires; Focus Group Discussions (FGD) by using prepared guidelines; and Observation by using observation checklists. Data were collected from 160 lab health workers, of whom 74 were working in government and 86 in private health institutes. Three FGDs were held and 20 Observations made (10 in government and 10 in private health institutes). Data were analyzed in terms those working in government and those in private health institutes. A total of 160 respondents were interviewed of whom46percentwere from government institutes and 54percent from private institutes. Most of the respondents, 67 per cent, were male,of whom 63 percent were of the20-30 yrs age group. The median age of the respondents from government and private institutes were 29 yrs and 24yrsrespectively. Among the total respondents73percent was Lab Assistants. Out of these,66percent were from government institutes and 79percentfrom private institutes. Of government respondents 47 percent had 5-10 yrs working experience whereas 70 percent of respondents from private institutes had working experience of less than 5 yrs. It was found that knowledge of respondents about hepatitis C was generally high with 87 percent revealing good levels. Findings from FGDs also suggested that most of the respondents had good knowledge of hepatitis C. Of respondents from government institutes99percent had good knowledge of hepatitis C and 77percent of respondents vi from private institutes equally good. There was significant p=0.00(<0.05) association between level of knowledge and type of health institutes. Thus knowledge level among respondents of government is higher than that of private institutes. Risk behavior of total respondents showed that approximately one third (33%) demonstrated high risk behavior. Of these,34percent were from government and 31 percent from private institutes.Findings from Observation revealed that 40percentof health workers in government institutes showed high risk behavior whereas only10 percent of health workers inprivate institutes indicated high risk behavior. The study revealed that 68percent of the respondents who had good knowledge had low risk behavior and 67percent of the respondent who had poor knowledge also had low risk behavior. That is, there was no significant p=0.93 (p>0.05) association between level of knowledge and risk behavior. Thus knowledge has no effect on behavior. Policy should be implemented to improve the high risk behavior of lab health workers. Under the programme “Behavior change communication” all health workers, regardless of their knowledge of hepatitis C, should be trained in appropriate behavior to ensure the control of hepatitis C infection within laboratories.