HEPATITIS B KNOWLEDGE AMONG DIFFERENT ETHNIC GROUPS OF EXPATRIATE BLUE COLLAR WORKERS IN NORTHERN SAUDI ARABIA

1
HEPATITIS B KNOWLEDGE AMONG DIFFERENT ETHNIC
GROUPS OF EXPATRIATE BLUE COLLAR WORKERS IN
NORTHERN SAUDI ARABIA
Dr. Abdul Sattar Khan, Dr. Maisa Al-Sweilem, Dr.
Zekeriya Akturk
Ministry of Health, Center of Post Graduate
Studies in Family Medicine, Saudi Arabia
Turkish National Family Medicine Days 25-29
April 2007
Worldwide, the most important etiological factor
associated with HCC is chronic infection with
hepatitis B virus (HBV), which is responsible
for about 80 of all cases of HCC.
Objective To find out the level of knowledge and
vaccination status among different ethnic groups
of expatriate blue collar workers. Background
Infection with hepatitis B (HBV) is relatively
common throughout the world (1), especially in
underprivileged or low socioeconomic class, and
chronic infection can lead to severe consequences
including Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) (2).
Methods A cross-sectional community based
survey of expatriates (n665) was completed
during 2005. We examined HBV knowledge and
vaccination status among different ethnic groups
of expatriate blue collar workers in Northern
Saudi Arabia and compared their level of
knowledge with some socio-demographic and
acculturation factors. Results The mean age of
the participants was 45.61 years (8.44), out of
those 53 were Asians and 47 Non-Asians (Figure
1). Off total, 41.6 responded 7 or more correct
answer from 12 questions addressing knowledge
about transmission and sequelae of HBV. Almost
40 of respondents were not vaccinated while
remaining was having full three doses of
vaccination (Figure 2). 42 had high knowledge
regarding hepatitis B (Figure 3). High levels of
knowledge about HBV (i.e., respondents who
correctly answered at least 7 of the 12 questions
about HBV) were significantly associated with
higher level of education, occupation and
immunization status (Plt0.0005), however it is
also associated (Plt0.05) with age, marital
status, proportion of life spent in Saudi Arabia,
ethnic group but not associated (Pgt0.05) with
income and type of accommodation (Table 1).
However, vaccination status is significantly
(Plt0.005) associated to almost all
socio-demographic factors (Table 2).
Table 1 Hepatitis B knowledge in relation to
Socio-demographic factors
Table 2 Immunization status for Hepatitis B in
relation to Socio-demographic factors
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 1
Discussion Our results warranted that
expatriates have a reasonably good immunization
status, with less good knowledge about HBV
infection. Moreover, socio-demogrphic and
acculturation factors such as education, age,
income, life spent in KSA, and marital status
have some impact on the level of knowledge
affecting directly or indirectly (3), might be
considered while assessing the immunization
status of especially those populations which
comprised of a meager number of expatriate or
immigrants like in Saudi Arabia. Conclusion
The difference in immunization rates between
former and recent expatriates shows the success
of screening programs. However, beyond
screening, immunization campaigns and
facilitation of access to immunization are
necessary. The greatest success is likely to be
achieved by health promotion activities that
target less educated individuals.
Prevention is better than cure!
References

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   Hepatol 1997 12 S294-308.
3. Taylor VM, Jackson JC, Pineda M, Pham P, Fischer
   M, Yasui Y. Hepatitis B knowledge among
   Vietnamese immigrants Implications for
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   Educ 2000 15 51-55.