Improvement of the Knowledge of the Primary Health Service Doctors in Albania about Pre and Post Exposure to Hepatitis B Virus

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects the liver and can cause both chronic and acute illness. The virus is most frequently transmitted during labor and delivery from mother to infant, as well as by contact with blood or other body fluids. WHO reports that 257 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B (defined as positive hepatitis B surface antigen) infection in 2015. Hepatitis B resulted in an estimated 887 000 deaths in 2015, mostly from cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (i.e. primary liver cancer). As of 2016, 27 million people were aware of their illness (10.5 percent of all people reported to be living with hepatitis B), while 4.5 million (16.7 percent) of those infected were on medication. Vaccines which are safe, affordable, and effective can prevent hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B is a potentially life-threatening infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It's a major global health problem. This can cause chronic infection and presents a high risk of death from cirrhosis and liver cancer in humans. A safe and effective vaccine that provides 98-100 percent protection against hepatitis B is available. Preventing hepatitis B infection prevents the development of complications, including chronic disease and liver cancer.

Author(s): Ada Myrto

Abstract | PDF

Share This Article