Original Article

Public awareness of hepatitis B infection in Turkey as a model of universal effectiveness in health care policy

Volume 25 · Issue 3 Publish Date: June 15, 2014
Merve Gürakar Mohammad Malik Onur Keskin Ramazan İdilman
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Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology

Volume 25 · Issue 3

Pages: 304-308

History

Published Online: June 15, 2014

Copyright © 2014 Merve Gürakar, Mohammad Malik, Onur Keskin, Ramazan İdilman

Merve Gürakar
Princeton University, Program in Global Health and Health Policy, Princeton, USA
Mohammad Malik
Department of Gastroenterology/Hepatology-Transplant Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
Onur Keskin
Department of Gastroenterology, Ankara University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey
Ramazan İdilman
Department of Gastroenterology, Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
Gürakar, M., Malik, M., Keskin, O., & İdilman, R. (2014). Public awareness of hepatitis B infection in Turkey as a model of universal effectiveness in health care policy. Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology, 25(3), 304–308. https://doi.org/10.5152/tjg.2014.6718
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Abstract

Abstract Background/Aims: This study aimed to analyze the knowledge and awareness of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in an HBV-infected Turkish population as a model for global health care practice and to evaluate potential factors associated with the disease spread and its prevention. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Ankara University School of Medicine, Liver Disease Outpatient Clinic between August 2012 and March 2013. The survey queried sociodemographics, knowledge, and awareness of HBV infection, transmission, and consequences and common practices and behaviors. Results: A total of 181 patients were surveyed (median age=49 years); 91 (51%) had “advanced” education levels (high school, bachelor’s, graduate degree), 108 (60%) had knowledge about HBV infection and transmittance, and 130 (72%) were aware of the ill consequences of HBV infection. Also, 120 (66%) had vaccinated their family members against HBV infection. Participants with knowledge of HBV infection transmittance were more likely to vaccinate their family members compared to unknowledgeable participants (p=0.015). Participants with “advanced” education levels were also more likely to vaccinate family members (p=0.047). Conclusion: Promoting better awareness of HBV and endorsing mass educational interventions may be useful strategies to prevent the spread of HBV infection. Such strategies may be recommended as cost-effective global health care practices in HBV endemic areas.

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Article Info
Published In
Journal Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology
Volume / Issue Volume 25 · Issue 3
Pages 304-308
DOI 10.5152/tjg.2014.6718
History
Published Online June 15, 2014
Copyright
Copyright (c) 2014 Merve Gürakar, Mohammad Malik, Onur Keskin, Ramazan İdilman
Affiliations
Merve Gürakar
Princeton University, Program in Global Health and Health Policy, Princeton, USA
Mohammad Malik
Department of Gastroenterology/Hepatology-Transplant Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
Onur Keskin
Department of Gastroenterology, Ankara University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey
Ramazan İdilman
Department of Gastroenterology, Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
Cite this Article
Gürakar, M., Malik, M., Keskin, O., & İdilman, R. (2014). Public awareness of hepatitis B infection in Turkey as a model of universal effectiveness in health care policy. Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology, 25(3), 304–308. https://doi.org/10.5152/tjg.2014.6718
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