Are Really Family Physicians Aware of Hepatitis B?

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the level of knowledge of family physicians regarding hepatitis B infection, transmission ways, risk groups, clinical course, and protection methods.

Methods: This study is held on 236 family physicians at Adiyaman, Mersin, Adana and Kahramanmaras. A questionnaire was held before the awareness raising seminars organized by provincial Health Directorates. Data was analyzed by SPSS 16.0 and descriptive statistics and chi-square test were used.

Results: In general, 54.7% of the doctors enrolled in this study gave correct answers. Twenty three percent of physicians were not aware of HBsAg in diagnosis of hepatitis B virus (HBV), 14.8% did not know anti-HBs as indicating immunity against HBV. Though 94.4% of the family physicians administered routine hepatitis B vaccination, 62.3% of them were not informed about the lowest level of anti-HBs titer (10 IU/ml) providing immunity against HBV.

Conclusion: This study showed that the level of knowledge of family physicians in HBV infections is inadequate and the family physicians should be trained about contagious diseases.