A Comparative Study of Knowledge, Attitude and Practices about Hepatitis B and its Vaccination of Mothers in Urban Slums and Business Communities of Delhi

Abstract

To assess and compare knowledge, attitude and practices of mothers of eligible children regarding Hepatitis B and its prevention in urban slums and business communities of Delhi, a

population based, comparative cross-sectional survey was carried out in the urban slums located adjacent to Maulana Azad Medical College and business locality Tilak Nagar located in West Delhi district of Delhi. The study was conducted among 128 mothers in business community and 109 mothers in urban slums, of children belonging to age group 12–23 months. A pre-tested, semi-coded interview schedule was used. House-to-house survey was conducted from a random point till the desired number was studied, in both the groups. A database was prepared using Epi-Info software to study and compare the vaccination status. Statistical tests such a Chi-Square test was used for any statistical significance. Both groups varied significantly in terms of socio-demographic variables. In business community 95.31% of study participants were aware of jaundice, out of which only 65.63% had heard about Hepatitis B while in urban slums, only 63.3% knew about Jaundice and 8.25% about Hepatitis B. Only 13.28% of mothers in business community and none in urban slums knew that it can be transmitted. Just 13.28% in business and less than 1% in slums knew about complications of Hepatitis B, 39.84% and 7.34% participants in respective areas knew that Hepatitis B is life threatening and only 9.38% and 0.9% knew that there is no cure for Hepatitis B. However, 69.53% participants in business community and only 8.25% in slums knew about vaccine. There is a need for focused and effective information, education and communication drive in both areas.

Keywords: Hepatitis B vaccination, jaundice, KAP, business community