Abstract :
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is affecting 170 million people annually (WHO, 2012) and Pakistan ranks high in chronic hepatitis.
HCV is a leading cause of chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma rapidly transmitting as silent killer. Our objectives
were to assess the knowledge of students of Punjab University (Gujranwala Campus) about contributing risk factors for HCV
infection. And to impart knowledge to students regarding preventive measures in relation to associated risk factors for HCV
transmission. Subjects were 100 students our study was Descriptive / cross sectional study. The following data collection tools
were developed and used. A consent form was used to get the consent of the respondents wherever possible. A semi structured
Questionnaire was used to get information from study population. The tools were pretested and modified according to
requirements. In our study the overall questionnaire response was 100 %.
Objectives: To assess the knowledge of students of Punjab University (Gujranwala Campus) about contributing risk factors for
HCV infection. To impart knowledge to students regarding preventive measures in relation to associated risk factors for HCV
transmission.
Result and Conclusion: 35% responded that sexual contact was possible mode of transmission of HCV infection followed by 20%
and 19% who believed that organ transplant and blood transfusion were the main modes of transmission of virus. 13 % answered
that sharing of tooth brushes and razors were main causes of its transmission. Another 13% responded that use of injections was
the source of transmission of HCV. 80% believed that infection was transmittable from mother to child. 47% think recipient of
blood and blood products are at the risk of developing HCV infection. 23 % thought that people with multiple sex partners were
at the risk of developing HCV infection. 70% were of opinion that Vaccination was available against HCV infection and only
28% knew that it was not available. 77% believed that spread of HCV infection could prevented by avoiding blood contacts. 10%
said that prevention was possible by avoiding eating together, 5% said by avoiding hand shake and 8% said that it prevention is
not possible.
92 % believed that the treatment of HCV infection was available. 8% said there is no treatment of this infection. 77 % said that
recurrence of HCV infection was possible and 7 % responded with no. 17 % said that they did not know about this. Summarizing
the results of this study, these findings indicate an ambivalent knowledge about HCV infection amongst Punjab University
Gujranwala students, many gaps were observed, suggesting the importance of continuous education about HCV in this
population to prevent HCV infection as well as discrimination and prejudice towards patients with hepatitis C.
Keyword :
ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE OF STUDENTS AT PUNJAB UNIVERSITY CAMPUS GUJRANWALA REGARDING FACTORS CONTRIBUTING FOR HEPATITIS C