Abstract
Background: To determine the level of awareness
amongst the patients and their attendants about hepatitis B
virus and its vaccination.
Methods: In this descriptive study patients and their
attendants attending the out patient department were
subjected to a questionnaire about different aspects of
hepatitis B.
Results: Seven hundred and eighty individuals (65%
patients, 35% non-patients) were studied. Majority (77%)
were male. Awareness about the disease and the vaccine
was 61% and 39%, respectively. Educated individuals and
those who read newspapers and listened to radio were
more aware about hepatitis B vaccine (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: Awareness level about the hepatitis B
infection in army personnel/families and its vaccination is
satisfactory as compared to civil population.