Abstract

Objective: Viral hepatitis is the leading cause of liver cancer and the most common reason for liver transplantation. The aim of the present study was to compare the knowledge levels of general practitioners about viral hepatitis in Şanlıurfa in the years 2007 and 2011.

Methods: In 2007, a total of 94 general practitioners from the city center participated in an in-service training meeting related to viral hepatitis and answered a questionnaire form. In 2011, in another in-service training session, the same questionnaire was applied to 233 family physicians practicing in the city center and districts.

Results: Of the physicians, 59.6% in 2007 and 55.4% in 2011, stated that they thought their level of knowledge about viral hepatitis was sufficient. The difference in knowledge level of physicians about viral hepatitis types did not vary within time significantly (p<0.05), but it is noteworthy that the percentage of knowledge level about hepatitis G virus decreased to 0.0% in 2011 (p<0.05). In 2011, 97.4% of the practitioners thought that HBsAg testing had to be performed to pregnant women, whereas it was 94.7% in 2007. In 2007, 64.9% of the practitioners stated that hepatitis B vaccine could be applied to pregnant women, this increased to 75.8% in 2011. The percentage of those stating that chronic hepatitis B and C treatments were highly successful was found 9.6% and 30.5% respectively in the years 2007 and 2011. There was no significant difference between the two years (p>0.05). In both years, it was found that about 70% of the participating practitioners knew that acute viral hepatitis had to be reported, and no significant difference was found between the years (p>0.05).

Conclusions: It was seen that general practitioners employed at first-stage health centers did not have sufficient knowledge about viral hepatitis. In-service training is recommended in order to increase their knowledge level about viral hepatitis.