Knowledge of Hepatitis C Among General Population in Kosovo

Authors

  • Albiona Rashiti Bytyçi University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, Republic of Kosovo
  • Premtim Rashiti University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, Republic of Kosovo
  • Fjolla Kadiri University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, Republic of Kosovo
  • Leonora Svarça University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, Republic of Kosovo
  • Albana Xani University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, Republic of Kosovo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v21i4.60237

Keywords:

Hepatitis C; public awareness; preventive measures

Abstract

Goal: The goal of the study was to measure the public awareness on Hepatitis C (HCV) infection, in Prishtina, Kosovo’s capital. The cross-sectional survey was undertaken in October 2019 using an investigator-developed questionnaire about Hepatitis C virus knowledge. With a 95 percent confidence level and a confidence interval of 4.4, a sample size of 502 persons was calculated.

Results: In terms of public awareness about the cause of Hepatitis C, 53 percent of survey participants were appropriately informed. Moreover, 54 percent of survey participants were properly informed about the transmission of Hepatitis C virus through tattooing and piercing procedures. Around 53.6 percent of survey participants were correctly informed that there is still no vaccine for protection against Hepatitis C virus. Regarding, application of knowledge in prevention, only 35.3 percent of the study participants claimed to have been tested for Hepatitis C virus during their routine blood tests. Furthermore, there exist relationship between the age group of the respondents and the knowledge regarding the question that Hepatitis C can be transmitted from the partner. The same relationship exists between the age group of the respondents and the knowledge that Hepatitis C can also be transmitted by blood transfusion and syringe exchange. Yet, other relations exist between the age group of the respondents and the knowledge regarding the chronic carrierof Hepatitis C virus but as well that pregnant women with Hepatitis C can transmit the disease to infants.

Conclusion: Knowledge gaps necessitate public awareness initiatives which may increase testing and diagnosis. Knowledge on Hepatitis C virus might serve as an effective tool in decision making regarding appropriate preventive measures.

Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 21 No. 04 October’22 Page : 751-758

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Abstract
37
PDF
49

Downloads

Published

2022-09-11

How to Cite

Bytyçi, A. R., Rashiti, P. ., Kadiri, F. ., Svarça, L. ., & Xani, A. . (2022). Knowledge of Hepatitis C Among General Population in Kosovo. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science, 21(4), 751–758. https://doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v21i4.60237

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 4 (2022)

Section

Original Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2022 Albiona Rashiti– Bytyçi, Premtim Rashiti, Fjolla Kadiri, Leonora Svarça, Albana Xani

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Authors who publish in the Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science agree to the following terms that:

  1. Authors retain copyright and grant Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science the right of first publication of the work.

  2. Creative Commons Licence
    Articles in Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License CC BY-4.0.This license permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
  3. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
  4. Authors are permitted to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as greater citation of published work.