Knowledge, attitude and practice towards Hepatitis B infection of people in part of Jigawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study analyzed Knowledge, Attitude/Perception and Practice of the people toward hepatitis B infection in four local governments of Ringim Emirate, Jigawa State. The data were obtained using questionnaire instrument and organized and processed in SPSS version 20 and analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The result shows that very few (4.9%) people showed good level of knowledge of the infection, and only very few (3.4%) show knowledge of good practice. The result also shows correlation coefficient of 0.917 indicated a positive correlation between knowledge scores. The findings also revealed that there is no statistically significant different between educational level and knowledge of Hepatitis B (p=.336). However, there is statistically significant difference, (p=.000) among other items of socio- demographic characteristics. The study suggested that public health education is needed to improve knowledge, attitude and practice on hepatitis B. Implementation of community mass media health education programme to raise the awareness and the knowledge about hepatitis B using all forms of media especially radios. Health care providers who are involved in the hepatitis control programme need to set schedule to provide education, increase awareness of contact case screening, early identifying and treating hepatitis infection especially hepatitis B. This will help to in prevention and controlling of the infection.