Awareness

ABSTRACT This study is based on an electronic questionnaire about the use of antibiotics. It investigates the knowledge about antibiotics and their resistance among the Syrian coastal people. 639 individuals responded to the questionnaire. The results show that there is fairly good information about those drugs. Yet, there is much to be done to spread the awareness in the whole community, especially with regards to enact laws that prohibit antibiotics purchase without a prescription. Doctors on the other hand, should give antibiotics only on necessity. People also have to be well educated about antibiotics resistance, which is an inevitable consequence to the misuse of those drugs. Keywords: Antibiotics, Misuse, Resistance, Awareness, Infection.

Introduction: Hepatitis B infection is the most transmissible blood borne infection and also a vaccine preventable disease. Health care worker (HCWs) are at increasing risk of acquiring Hepatitis B infection (10-30%). This study aims to estimate the awareness regarding various aspects of hepatitis B vaccination such as vaccination status, protective antibody titre and the prevalence of hepatitis B infection). Materials and method: Study included 400 HCWs (250 doctors, 100 nurses, and 50 technicians) of Lady Hardinge Medical College & Associated Hospitals, New Delhi. A self structured pretested questionnaire was used as a tool in the study. The level of awareness was graded (adequate, fairly adequate and inadequate) on the basis of their knowledge. Blood samples were collected from all the participants & subjected to ELISA test for detection of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) and estimation of anti Hepatitis B antibody titer (anti HBs Ab) titre. Results: 34.4% doctors, 18% nurses and 4% technicians had overall adequate awareness level regarding various aspects of Hepatitis B vaccination. The difference between adequate awareness level among all the three groups of HCWs were significant (P <0.05). Sixty seven percent (67%) HCWs had a protective level of AntiHbsAb level (≥10mIU/ml). Out of 400 HCWs 227 (56.7%) were fully vaccinated (3 dose), 112 (28%) partially vaccinated (1 0r 2 dose) and 61 (15.2%) had no vaccination against Hepatitis B. No HCWs were positive for HBsAg. Conclusion: Every hospital must raise the awareness regarding Hepatitis B vaccination among HCWs and must ensure all the HCWs are vaccinated & immunized.