Factors associated with knowledge of viral hepatitis B and C during a hepatitis awareness campaign in 2021 in Togo

Abstract

Objective: The study aimed to identify the factors associated with good knowledge of viral hepatitis B and C.

Methods: A cross-sectional study with prospective data collection was conducted from 27 to 28 July 2021 (two days) on World Hepatitis Day in 2021.

Results: The study included 577 respondents. The average age of the respondents was 36.68 ± 13.09 years. There were 299 men (51.82%) with a 1.08 sex ratio. The proportion of respondents with good overall knowledge was 58.23% for viral hepatitis B and 45.22% for viral hepatitis C. The factors associated with good overall knowledge of viral hepatitis B were gender, education level, and having once heard about the hepatitis B virus (HBV) during a blood donation. The factors associated with good knowledge of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) were education level and having once heard about HCV during an awareness campaign.

Conclusion: The respondents in this study did not have adequate information about viral hepatitis B and C. To inform more people, it is important to intensify awareness campaigns.