Knowledge and Risk Behavior on Hepatitis C Infection among the Laboratory Health Workers In Kathmandu Nepal
Date
2009
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Faculty of Public Health, Northern University Bangladesh
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
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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.
Description
Keywords
hepatitis viruses, Laboratory health workers