Hepatitis B Knowledge Among Iranian Adolescents: A National Survey

BACKGROUND Hepatitis B is the most prevalent chronic infectious liver disease worldwide with serious sequelae. Prevention of the infection can be provided by universal vaccination and improvement in knowledge and behavior about disease transmission. Provision of any educational program requires inquiry about target group baseline knowledge. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to assess Iranian adolescents' knowledge about hepatitis B (HBV) and associated factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS We conducted a questionnaire-based national survey of 18-year-old adolescents according to stratified cluster random sampling in Iran during 2007. RESULTS Response rate was 87%. Most adolescents (60%) knew that HBV infects the liver. Percentage of adolescents who gave correct answers to major routes of HBV transmission were as follows: spouse of an infected person 59%, multi-partners 66%, intravenous drug use 73%, body piercing 55% and personal belongings 55%. Higher levels of education, living in rural areas, marriage and (except for body piercing) female gender were associated with better knowledge. The knowledge of HBV infected individuals about major routes of HBV transmission was low (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS There are important deficits in adolescents' knowledge about HBV that requires attention of health educators to tailor educational programs for specific groups.