Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice among Saudi Residents Regarding Hepatitis E Virus

• Published in: The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene Vol. 106; no. 2; pp. 626 - 631
• Main Authors: Althobaiti, Shaima O., Alhumaidi, Ghaida O., Alwagdani, Waad M., Almaroani, Kawther M., Altowairqi, Batool S., Alhaddad, Mahmoud S., Abdelwahab, Sayed F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Institute of Tropical Medicine 15.11.2021; The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Attitudes; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Hepatitis; Hepatitis E - epidemiology; Hepatitis E - psychology; Hepatitis E virus - pathogenicity; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Saudi Arabia - epidemiology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult; Saudi Arabia
• ISSN: 0002-9637; 1476-1645; 1476-1645
• DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-0841

Global data, including those from Saudi Arabia, that examined public knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward hepatitis E virus (HEV) are limited. This study examined KAP levels of the general population in Saudi Arabia toward HEV. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 768 participants. An Arabic electronic questionnaire that contained demographic data and had 35 questions was used to measure KAP of the participants concerning HEV. Collected data were analyzed at a significance level of 0.05. A total of 768 individuals participated in the study, of whom 16.3% ( N  = 125) were males and 83.7% ( N  = 643) were females. Study subjects were 18 years and above. Most of the participants were Saudi citizens (95.6%; N  = 734), and from Western Saudi Arabia (76.4%; N  = 587). Thirty-four percent ( N  = 261) of the participants had not heard of HEV, and 48% were aware that yellowish skin or eyes are the most important sign of hepatitis. The level of participants’ knowledge about HEV was low (39.5%). However, positive attitudes and practices were apparent and tended to aim at how to avoid becoming infected with HEV. In conclusion, the level of HEV-related knowledge among the participants was low, and their practices and attitudes were aimed at avoiding HEV infection. Awareness campaigns are required to increase the public’s HEV-related knowledge.