Level of knowledge on hepatitis in advanced students of the Faculty of Medicine-UNNE. Corrientes, capital 2019

Abstract

Viral hepatitis is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis virus. There are six different types of viruses called Hepatitis A, B, C, D, E, and G. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the main cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and 80% of hepatocellular carcinoma. Its transmission occurs through sexual, vertical and parenteral routes. The main vehicles for sexual transmission are genital secretions and semen. The best way to prevent hepatitis B is vaccination. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out with the 4th and 5th year students of the Medicine Career - UNNE during the months of August and September 2019, to whom a questionnaire was sent to be completed anonymously to determine the Hepatitis knowledge. 90.78% answered that it is an infectious disease, 88.83% reported that the etiologic agent is a virus and 87.86% answered that the most affected organ is the liver. Furthermore, 90% answered that the transmission route corresponds to the parenteral, sexual and perinatal route. Likewise, 86.41% answered that vaccination is the main form of prevention and 91.26% have been vaccinated against HBV. The level of knowledge about hepatitis B was found to be high. In addition, some risky behaviors were identified such as puncture-cutting accidents and having sex without a barrier method.