Awareness of Viral Hepatitis B and C Infection among First Year Medical Sciences Students in Jazan University

The purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge level of viral hepatitis B and C among the first year male and female students of medical sciences, at Jazan University, Saudi Arabia during the period from September, 18 to October, 25 of 2010. Data was analyzed by SPSS. 17. by the Pearson's coefficient Chi-Square test and p value < 0.05 was considered significant. A total of 824 students participated with 612 (74.3%) males and 216 (25.7%) females. It was found that more than half of the students (64.4%) had basic awareness about hepatitis B and C infection as well as about symptoms. The knowledge of mode of transmission among our students was a moderate number (57.1%). The mean of the percentage of positive beliefs and attitudes which obtained from our responders was only (40.4%). The students had moderate awareness regarding treatments and vaccinations as prevention and control of infection with Hepatitis B and C (58.9%). The mean knowledge of females and males was comparable, whoever; females depicted higher base knowledge regarding mode of transmission, treatment and vaccination awareness.