Appraisal of the knowledge of Internet users of Pakistan regarding hepatitis using on-line survey.
BACKGROUND
Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are global health care problems causing morbidity and mortality. Much of it could be prevented by better education of the masses regarding its spread. The study was conducted to assess the knowledge base of internet users of Pakistan to help in formulating education strategies.


METHODS
A survey questionnaire consisting of 20 close ended questions was designed and hosted on a website. The responses submitted at the website were auto-emailed to the author.


RESULTS
A total of 1024 complete responses were included. The survey shows increased level of awareness according to the educational status. The knowledge status of lowest education level was also adequate possibly due to access to internet to these respondents.


CONCLUSIONS
Internet users in Pakistan have adequate core knowledge regarding hepatitis.
Zuberi
Bader Faiyaz
BF
Department of Medicine, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan. bader@zuberi.net
Zuberi
Faisal Faiyaz
FF
Vasvani
Aneel
A
Faisal
Nabiha
N
Afsar
Salahuddin
S
Rehman
Javeria
J
Qamar
Beenish
B
Jaffery
Batool
B
D022126:Access to Information; D001364:Awareness; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires