RISK FACTORS OF HEPATITIS B INFECTION AMONG PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE SETTING IN KERALA.

Corresponding Author:
Dr. N. Premaletha,
TC/2/379(6), ‘Deepthi’ Doctor’s Garden, Ulloor,
Medical College P. O,
Trivandrum-695011, Kerala.
E-mail: drpremalathasunil@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

High prevalence of blood-borne pathogens is a public health problem in developing countries like India and among them HBV is the most infectious one. There is a scarcity of studies in Kerala regarding the socioeconomic and personal, behavioural, health care and other related factors.

The objective of this study is to find out the determinants of transmission of hepatitis B in outpatients attending OP clinic in Medical Gastro Department in Medical College.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients of hepatitis B in Gastroenterology Medical Unit 1 were interviewed, and data was collected using a structured proforma. At 95% confidence interval, the sample size was calculated as 310 and 391 cases and 109 controls. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 13.

Design- A case-control study.

Place and Duration of the Study- In OP clinic in Medical Gastroenterology Department, Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala during 2012 - 13.

RESULTS

The determinant of transmission of Hepatitis B was found statistically significant which included sex, religion, socio-economic status, education, ‘other related risk factors’ which include earlier infection of HBV, being diabetic and family history of hepatitis infection.

CONCLUSION

There is a need to create awareness about determinants and transmission of Hepatitis B in Kerala. The vaccination against Hepatitis B should be strongly recommended for high risk groups like family history of infection. Majority of the respondents are not immunized. Since the disease is highly infective but preventable, awareness and prevention are factors of importance.

KEYWORDS

Determinants, Hepatitis B, Transmission.