Impact of educational interventions on Hepatitis B and C awareness among school students of Delhi NCR

Abstract Background: Viral hepatitis, particularly B and C, is a major cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer, leading to about 1.4 million deaths annually. Alarmingly, less than 20% of those with hepatitis are aware of their status, with only 6.3% receiving treatment. School children can play a pivotal role in raising awareness and preventing the spread of infections. This intervention study focuses on understanding and enhancing the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to Hepatitis B and C, among school children in Delhi NCR aiming to foster dialogue and awareness Methods: An intervention study was conducted in selected schools across Delhi NCR between September and October 2022 to assess baseline knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to Hepatitis B and C. Three of seven schools were randomly selected by probability sampling representing 9-12 grade students where 901 students participated. Following this, an educational interventional program was conducted with the help of educational material, interactive sessions, and audio-visual aids. Post-intervention assessments were done to measure the impact on knowledge improvement. Results: The study is expected to provide insights into the current level of awareness regarding Hepatitis B and C. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the intervention was analysed by using the pre-formed questionnaire. The average pre-test knowledge score was 8.9 ± 3.2, while the post-test average was 15.6 ± 4.4, indicating a substantial increase of 6.7 ± 4.7 points (+75.2%). There was a positive correlation of 0.240 between pre and post-test scores. Attitude change before and after the session showed a positive percentage change of +38.0% with a correlation of 0.351. The study indicated substantial improvements in knowledge about hepatitis B and C where awareness about transmission methods and risk factors notably improved. Conclusion: This interventional study seek to bridge the knowledge gap among school children regarding Hepatitis B and C in Delhi NCR fostering a proactive approach towards prevention, detection, and treatment. The considerable rise in awareness and favourable changes in perspectives post-intervention say that specific health education initiatives are pivotal in raising awareness and comprehension of infectious diseases, ultimately contributing to the overall improvement of community health.