title: Appraisal of the knowledge of Internet users of Pakistan regarding hepatitis using on-line survey.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan. bader@zuberi.net
authors.forename: Bader Faiyaz
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Zuberi
authors.forename: Faisal Faiyaz
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Zuberi
authors.forename: Aneel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vasvani
authors.forename: Nabiha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Faisal
authors.forename: Salahuddin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Afsar
authors.forename: Javeria
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rehman
authors.forename: Beenish
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Qamar
authors.forename: Batool
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jaffery
mesh_terms: 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