scholarly journals Current Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice of Medical Students Regarding the Risk of Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Control Measures at Qassim University

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 435-439
Author(s):  
Osama Al Wutayd ◽  
Abdullah AlRehaili ◽  
Khaled AlSafrani AlSafrani ◽  
Abdulrahman Abalkhail ◽  
Sulaiman Mohammed AlEidi

BACKGROUND: Medical students are exposed to occupational health hazards in hospitals during their studies and lack sufficient education about infection control measures. Injury to medical students is a substantial problem and students have an increased risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV). To understand how medical students think about infection control, it is important to identify the strengths and weaknesses of their education. AIM: To assess current knowledge, attitudes, and practice of medical students regarding HBV infection and control measures at Qassim University, Saudi Arabia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a medical college. Participants completed a 39-item self-administered questionnaire assessing demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and practice. Item response frequencies were calculated. Responses were recorded into yes (strongly agree and agree) and no (neutral, disagree, and strongly disagree) answers. Correct responses were totalled and categorised as good or poor performance. A scale cut-off of less than 75% correct responses was considered poor, and 75% or more correct responses was considered good. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated, and the chi-square test was used for analysis. RESULTS: A total of 21%, 41%, and 8% of students expressed good knowledge, attitudes, and practice, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between males and females on knowledge (p = 0.089), attitudes (p = 0.829), and practice (p = 0.248). There was a statistically significant difference between academic years on knowledge (p = 0.0001), attitudes (p = 0.0001), and practice (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Most medical students have poor knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding the risk of HBV infection. It is recommended that a policy is implemented for training on infection prevention for all medical students before they start clinical practice. Prevention programs about HBV infection should be instituted, and existing programs must be strengthened.

Author(s):  
V. U. Obisike ◽  
C. M. Uke ◽  
E. U. Amuta

Hepatitis B is a life threatening infectious liver disease caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HBV among food vendors in Wurukum, a highly commercial section of metropolitan Makurdi in Benue State. The test was carried out with the use of an immunochromatographic  micropoint HBsAg test strips and a HBsAg  buffer screen for the virus. Out of the 250 non-vaccinated food vendors sampled, 27(10.8%) had HBV infection, with more in males (21.7%) than in females (6.6%). No significant difference (p>0.05) was found among age groups in spite of the observed highest prevalence of 14.3% among the 20-29 year olds. Therefore, the need for routine screening cannot be overemphasized in spite of known risk factors among food vendors.


2019 ◽  
Vol 01 (04) ◽  
pp. 20-28
Author(s):  
Aqib Nazeer ◽  
Shahid Ali ◽  
Imran Tipu

Background The prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the Pakistani population has been reported previously, however, studies with a city-oriented approach and focus on age and gender distribution are very limited. Therefore, the current study was designed to unravel the age-wise and gender wise prevalence of HBV in Lahore, Pakistan. Methods A total of 350 blood samples of both male and female patients who visited National Genetic Laboratory, Lahore between February 2019 and July 2019 and who were suspected of HBV infection were screened. Sandwich based ELISA was used to detect rapid hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) according to the manufacturer’s instruction. Real time PCR was used to detect HBV using HBV Rotor Gene PCR kit. Results Out of 350 blood samples screened for HBV infection (n= 350), 180 (51.43%) were of males and 170 (48.57%) were of females. Mean age (years) with SD (standard deviation) of the screened population was 37.22 ± 12.16 years. Overall, 224 samples (64%) were found to be positive for HBV infection. In our study, the number of females with this infection (52.24%) was slightly higher than males (47.76%). However, we observed no statistically significant difference (p = 0.225) between them. Conclusion Our study concludes that HBV is highly prevalent in Lahore, Pakistan. Females are slightly more susceptible to HBV infection as compared to males. This study also reports that HBV is more prevalent in the 20-40 age group.


2003 ◽  
Vol 131 (1) ◽  
pp. 757-770 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. ABEBE ◽  
D. J. NOKES ◽  
A. DEJENE ◽  
F. ENQUSELASSIE ◽  
T. MESSELE ◽  
...  

A community-based seroepidemiological survey of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia was conducted in 1994 to inform on the transmission dynamics and control of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Venous blood from 4736 individuals under 50 years of age from 1262 households, selected using stratified cluster-sampling, was screened for HBV markers using commercial ELISAs. HBsAg prevalence was 7% (95% CI 6–8), higher in males (9%; 7–10) than females (5%; 4–6). HBeAg prevalence in HBsAg positives was 23% (18–29), and less than 1% of women of childbearing age were HBeAg positive. Overall HBV seroprevalence (any marker), rose steadily with age to over 70% in 40–49 year olds, indicating significant childhood and adult transmission. Estimated instantaneous incidence was 3–4/100 susceptibles/year, higher in males than females in 0–4 year olds, and peaking in early childhood and young adults. The age at which 50% had evidence of infection was around 20 years, and the herd immunity threshold is approximated at 63–77%. Addis Ababa is of intermediate-high HBV endemicity, with negligible perinatal transmission. Our main findings are the identification of a significant difference between males and females in the age-acquisition of HBV infection, and marked differences between age groups in HBV incidence rates. These results should target future research studies of underlying risk factors. Furthermore, we generate a crude estimate of the level of coverage of HBV vaccine that would be required to eliminate the virus from the study population.


Gut ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 61 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. i6-i17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maura Dandri ◽  
Stephen Locarnini

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major health burden and the main risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. However, HBV is not directly cytopathic and liver injury appears to be mostly caused by repeated attempts of the host's immune responses to control the infection. Recent studies have shown that the unique replication strategy adopted by HBV enables it to survive within the infected hepatocyte while complex virus–host interplays ensure the virus is able to fulfil its replication requirements yet is still able to evade important host antiviral innate immune responses. Clearer understanding of the host and viral mechanisms affecting HBV replication and persistence is necessary to design more effective therapeutic strategies aimed at improving the management of patients with chronic HBV infection to eventually achieve viral eradication. This article focuses on summarising the current knowledge of factors influencing the course of HBV infection, giving emphasis on the use of novel assays and quantitative serological and intrahepatic biomarkers as tools for predicting treatment response and disease progression.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruiqiang Wang ◽  
Yunqi Wu ◽  
Bowen Zheng ◽  
Xiaofeng Zhang ◽  
Dongyue An ◽  
...  

AbstractThe main objective of this study is to analyze the clinical and pathological features and prognosis of patients with Hepatitis B associated membranous nephropathy (HBV-MN) and idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) complicated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. This study will provide more basis for diagnosis and prognosis evaluation. A total of 50 patients with HBV-MN were included in this study. 56 IMN patients complicated with HBV infection diagnosed during the same period formed the control group. Parameters including blood routine, urine routine and plasma levels of albumin (ALB), serum creatinine (SCR), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), urea acid (UA), total cholesterol (T-CHO), triglycerides (TG), complement C3 and C4, glutamic pyruvic transaminase (ALT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (AST), 24-h urinary protein quantification (24 h-TP), renal phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) and HBV related markers during the hospitalization and outpatient follow-up study period were collected for all the patients. The proportion of male patients was high in both groups. The average age of the HBV-MN group was 37.2 ± 14.187 years old, it was younger compared with the IMN group (P = 0.003). Nephrotic syndrome was the major clinical manifestation among patients. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the levels of anemia, microscopic hematuria, renal dysfunction, liver dysfunction, liver cirrhosis. The level of serum C3 and C4 in the HBV-MN group was lower compared with the IMN group (P = 0.002, P = 0.014). In the HBV-MN group, serum HBV markers were negative in 6 (12%) patients, 4 patients (8%) were positive for PLA2R in serum, and 5 patients (10%) were positive for PLA2R in renal tissue. Stronger IgG1 and C1q and weaker IgG4 staining were found in HBV-MN group renal tissues (P = 0.003, P = 0.025, and P = 0.001, respectively). There were no statistical differences compared with serum and renal PLA2R between HBV-MN and IMN groups (P = 0.098, P = 0.109). During the 1-year follow-up, there was no significant difference in complete remission rate between the two groups (P = 0.7739). Renal biopsy is crucial to diagnose HBV-MN. IgG subtypes in the HBV-MN group were mainly IgG1 deposition, while those in IMN complicated with HBV infection group were mainly IgG4 deposition. When HBV-associated antigen and PLA2R are present in renal tissue, lower level of serum C3 and C4, high intensity of renal C1q and IgG1 is more supportive of HBV-MN. The positive of PLA2R in serum and renal tissue in differentiating HBV from IMN complicated with HBV infection remains to be discussed.


2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 445-453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ting Tian ◽  
Dandan Sun ◽  
Peng Wang ◽  
Hanzhi Wang ◽  
Xiaoxia Bai ◽  
...  

Background: Approximately 5% of newborns were infected by hepatitis B virus (HBV) via intrauterine transmission, but most of the infants born to HBV-positive mothers are protected from infection. However, the mechanisms by which intrauterine transmission is avoided remain elusive, and the roles of toll-like receptors (TLRs) have been proposed. The aims of this study were to clarify if TLR 7 and 8 are involved in the prevention of intrauterine transmission of HBV. Methods: Real time polymerase-chain reaction (PCR) was used to determine the expression of TLRs and cytokines in placenta and trophoblasts. The expression of MyD88 was interfered with small interfering RNA (siRNA) in trophoblasts. An in intro model mimicking trophoblast barrier was established to evaluate the effect of MyD88 siRNA on HBV transmission across trophoblast barrier. Results: There were significant differences in placental expression of TLR7 (F=3.263, P=0.048) and TLR8 (F=3.257, P=0.048) among control (HBV-negative women), non-infected group (HBV-positive women whose infants were not infected) and infected group (HBV-positive women whose infants were infected). The expression of TLR7 was significantly higher in non-infected group than infected group (P=0.039) and control (P=0.043). There was a significant difference in TLR8 expression between non-infected group and control (P=0.014), and the difference was close to but not significant (P=0.074) between non-infected and infected groups. Exposure of trophoblast to HBV significantly induced the expression of TLR7 (P<0.001), TLR8 (P=0.005), MyD88 (P=0.004), interferon (IFN)-α (P=0.004), IFN-β (P<0.001) and interleukin (IL)-8 (P=0.001). When MyD88 was interfered by siRNA, the expression of IFN-α (P<0.001), IFN-β (P=0.01) and IL-8 (P<0.001) was significantly decreased while the amount of HBV transcytosed across trophoblastic barrier significantly increased (P=0.03). Conclusions: TLR7 and TLR8 on trophoblastic cells play an important role in the prevention of intrauterine HBV transmission by inhibiting HBV translocation across trophoblast.


2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 739-751 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chan Zhang ◽  
Yan He ◽  
Ke-Ren Shan ◽  
Kui Tan ◽  
Ting Zhang ◽  
...  

Objective To determine whether genetic polymorphisms in the uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase 1A ( UGT1A) and the C-C motif chemokine receptor 5 ( CCR5) genes are associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Yi, Yao and Han ethnic groups in the Guizhou Province of China. Methods The study enrolled subjects with and without HBV infection. Whole blood was used for DNA genotyping using standard techniques. The study determined the frequencies of several polymorphic alleles ( UGT1A6 [rs2070959], UGT1A1 [rs8175347], CCR5-59029 [rs1799987] and CCR5Δ32 [rs333]) and then characterized their relationship with HBV infection. Results A total of 404 subjects were enrolled in the study: 138 from the Yao group, 101 from the Yi group and 165 from the Han group. There was a significant difference in the frequency of UGT1A1 rs8175347 polymorphisms among the three groups. The rates of 7TA carriers of UGT1A1 rs8175347 in all three groups were significantly higher than the other genotypes. Individuals with genotype AA of UGT1A6 rs2070959 in the Yi group had a higher risk for HBV infection than in the Yao and Han groups. The frequency of genotype GG in CCR5-59029 in the Yao group was significantly higher than in the Yi group. The genotypes of CCR5Δ32 were not associated with HBV infection. Conclusion These findings provide genetic and epidemiological evidence for an association of UGT1A and CCR5-59029 polymorphisms with HBV infection in Chinese Yi and Yao populations.


Author(s):  
Vasantha Mallika M. C. ◽  
Sivaanusuya S.

Background: Hepatitis B infection is a serious global public health problem. About two billion people are infected with hepatitis B Virus (HBV) all over the world. The prevalence of HBV infection in India is 4%(2%-8%) with more prevalence among health care workers. Medical students represent a group that is at high-risk for acquiring and spreading hepatitis B infection. Despite increasing prevalence of HBV infection, there is paucity of knowledge, attitude and practice on HBV among medical students. Objective of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices on prevention of hepatitis B infection among medical students of Sree Mookambika Institute of Medical Sciences, Kulasekharam.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 205 MBBS students using a pretested self-administered questionnaire for assessing the knowledge, attitude, and practice on prevention of HBV infection after obtaining informed consent from the participants.Results: Among 205 MBBS students, correct response towards Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices were given by 77.07%, 77.56%, and 76.59% respectively, 79.5% of the students were fully vaccinated; 20.5% were partially vaccinated against Hepatitis B Virus infection.Conclusions: The medical students are at a very high risk of contracting HBV infection during their training period in view of low HBV vaccine uptake rate and high chance of accidental exposure to blood infected with HBV. Creating awareness among medical students on various aspects of Hepatitis B infection through health education programs before their exposure in medical colleges and subjecting them to active immunization against HBV are mandatory to control the spread of Hepatitis B viral infection.


Author(s):  
Mutiara Nindya Sari ◽  
Clarissa Agdelina ◽  
Darlene Bahri ◽  
Nadya Regina Permata ◽  
Joue Abraham Trixie

Background: There are a lot of theories about how Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection affects many diseases, one of them is Diabetes Mellitus (DM). However, the relation remains controversial between DM and HBV as an infection. This study aims to evaluate HBV infection as a risk factor for developing DM.Method: A systematic review was performed using medical search engines such as Pubmed, ScienceDirect and GoogleScholar. References until February 2021 that met the inclusion criteria were reviewed. The primary outcome was the prevalence of DM. Authors also perform Subgroup analyses based on study type. The extracted data were analyzed using RevMan 5.4 application.Results: A total of 20 studies were analyzed with 245,468,411 subjects included. In which divided into two groups, patients with HBV infected group and non infected HBV group. Authors found that there is a statistically difference between patients with HBV infected groups and non infected HBV groups on the primary outcome which is the prevalence of DM (OR 1.24; 95% CI, 1.10-1.41; p = 0.0006). Authors also found the same results based on study type both in case-control (OR = 1.76; 95% CI: 1.08-2.85; p = 0.02) and cross-sectional (OR = 1.40; 95% CI: 1.05-1.85; p = 0.02) studies. Meanwhile in Cohort studies the results show no statistically significant difference between the two groups (OR = 1.07; 95% CI: 0.87-1.33; p = 0.52). Conclusion:  HBV infected patients have a higher risk of developing DM than patients without HBV infection. 


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