Hepatitis B and C knowledge among Saudi dental patients

OBJECTIVE: To explore Saudi dental patients' awareness of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections and its knowledge of transmission; and to compare the HBV and HCV knowledge and practices of men and women.

METHODS: A pre-tested anonymous self-administered one-page questionnaire consisting of 3 parts with 32 different statements concerning basic knowledge of HBV and HCV, their mode of transmission, risk behaviors, prevention, treatment and immunization were randomly distributed to dental patients at clinics and waiting areas of different governmental and private dental clinics. The study was conducted between 2006 and 2007, in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

RESULTS: Six hundred and seventy-seven participants responded to the questionnaire. More than 60% of the participants were aware of both HBV and HCV and approximately 50% were aware that it could affect the liver function and lead to death. Availability of vaccine for HBV was a fact appreciated more by females (69%) than by males (31%) (p=0.00). It was also found that there is an increase in the awareness and knowledge of HBV and HCV with the increase in the level of education and with higher income.

CONCLUSION: Efforts should be made to develop and implement hepatitis B and C educational campaigns for Saudi community. These efforts might be suitable for male and female audiences. Targeted community-wide awareness-raising campaigns and health care worker education is required to improve knowledge of HBV and HCV.