Knowledge, Awareness and Health Seeking Behaviour among Hepatitis patients attending a Tertiary Care Hospital in Delhi

Abstract

Introduction: People living with Chronic Viral Hepatitis in India often lack awareness about risk factors and prevention.
Objective: Objective of this article is to assess the health seeking behaviour of viral hepatitis infected patients attending
super specialty hospital in Delhi. Methods: Total 389 patients attending a super specialty hospital in Delhi were
interviewed. Results: The first point of contact for the treatment of hepatitis was a private practitioner (71%). Before
coming to ILBS, 77.4% visited a private practitioner, followed by (42.7%) Govt. facilities (PHC/CHC/DH/Medical
College), 12% visited a AYUSH doctor, about 10% visited either a Vaidya or a Hakim. About 40% believed that HBV is
curable and 36.2% respondents thought that HCV is curable. Our findings show that 7.2% respondents have been
vaccinated for HBV infection in the past, 20.8% respondents have screened their families for Hepatitis B infections.
Conclusion: Need to create awareness about myths, further screening of HBV and HCV infection, early diagnosis and
treatment.