Knowledge and Awareness Abouthepatitis B and C Viruses: A Study among Police Trainees Attending Police Training College, Andhra Pradesh, India

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the participants' knowledge and awareness of the transmission of the hepatitis B and c viruses among police trainees enrolled in police training colleges, as well as their familiarity with the symptoms, consequences, and significance of the hepatitis b vaccination. The liver is inflamed by hepatitis. While some humans and animals with hepatitis don't have any symptoms, others experience jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, as well as poor appetite, vomiting, exhaustion, stomach discomfort, and diarrhea. HBV and HCV are blood-borne viral infections that may be prevented by learning about the diseases' transmission routes and other preventative measures. These diseases are mostly spread through the transfusion of infected blood and blood products.

A cross sectional observational study was conducted among the police trainees attending district police training college, Ongole, Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh. Information about socio demographic characteristics, basic knowledge about hepatitis B and C viruses, its modes of transmission, prevention, symptoms and signs and also complications, Hepatitis B vaccination were also assessed from all these police trainees. The data were collected, tabulated, and statistically analyzed.

Among total police trainees 61.8% belong to upper middle class, 62.4% were degree holders and most of them belonging to Krishna (32.2%) district. About 59% of police trainees aware about hepatitis B virus infection and 67% know about hepatitis C virus infection. 67.2% were listen about availability of hepatitis B vaccination, none of the participants were aware about hepatitis B vaccine zero dose schedule. The duty for HBV education, transmission, testing, and vaccine accessibility and availability rests with effective health program controlling departments. In order to reduce the burden of HBV and HCV viral illnesses, further study on patient and healthcare professional behavior is required. It should be investigated how to use social media and networking tools to provide important information about HBV and HCV infection from healthcare authorities