Viral Hepatitis Training for Laboratory Workers: Addressing the Unaddressed

Aims: The aim of the study was to assess the current Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) of laboratory technicians about viral hepatitis and to assess the effect of one day training on knowledge levels of the participants.

Study Design: Pre-post design.

Place and Duration of Study: Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences New Delhi and October 2018 to September 2019.

Methodology: A one-day training program titled “Hepatitis Induction Program” on viral hepatitis for laboratory technicians was conducted. The participants were provided theoretical as well as demonstrative and hands-on training about diagnostic management and prevention of viral hepatitis among laboratory technicians. An online link for KAP and Pre-post knowledge assessment questionnaire consisting 49 (KAP) questions was shared with all registered participants. Same knowledge questionnaire consisting 25 questions was shared with the participants after training. One mark was allotted for each correct response. The data was analysed using IBM-SPSS version-21. Independent samples t-test was used to assess the mean knowledge score across various demographic factors and the paired t-test was used to assess the improvement in knowledge post training. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to establish relationship between KAP score. The statistical significance was considered at 0.05.

Results: A total of 151 laboratory technicians were trained in 5 one day trainings and data for KAP and pre-post assessment data was available for all 151 participants. Correlation coefficient between knowledge, attitude and practice score stated a positive correlation between knowledge and attitude (r=0.36 P<0.001), knowledge and practice (r=0.192, P<0.001), attitude and practice (r=0.425, P<0.001). Also, Mean difference between pre and post knowledge score was 3.12 which was statistically significant (P<0.001).There was no significant association observed between pre-post knowledge score and demographic characteristics.

Conclusion: The study was able to reflect the significant effect of one-day training regarding diagnostic management and prevention of viral hepatitis on knowledge level of the laboratory workers. The present training program can also be up scaled and help in educating the lab technicians on various health-related topics across the country as authors have found lack of studies or training programs of this kind for the laboratory workers.