A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY ON THE KNOWLEDGE ON HEPATITIS B AND IMMUNIZATION STATUS OF THIRD YEAR REGULAR MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY STUDENTS OF FEU-NRMF FOR THE S.Y. 2002-2003

ABSTRACT: All healthcare facilities and medical universities are under an obligation to provide a safe working environment for all employees and students respectively, including prevention of occupational exposure to infectious diseases. To achieve this, immunization against vaccine preventable diseases is advocate in all types of healthcare facilities particularly tertiary hospital facilities. A survey was conducted at the Far Eastern University Institute of Medicine to determine the knowledge and immunization status of third year regular medical technology students on Hepatitis B. A confidential structured questionnaire was distributed. The questionnaire requested information to assess knowledge and immunization status on Hepatitis B. Using cluster sampling; 150-structured questionnaires were distributed to third year medical technology students of Far Eastern University. While the results on knowledge and immunization status of medical technology students on Hepatitis B virus in general were encouraging, there remain a significant number of students who not yet avail the immunization program. Medical Technology students who may come in contact with patients blood/body substances or airborne disease are required to be knowledgeable on Hepatitis B. Medical Technology students and the administrators and faculty of the institution must be vigilant in highlighting to themselves the importance of immunization in disease prevention particularly Hepatitis B from which they at risk of exposure. Knowledge in this aspect may reduce the risk of occupational exposure; findings of the medical technology students` immunization status of Far Eastern University-NRMF are reported are required to be knowledge on Hepatitis B. Medical technology students and the administrators and faculty

Department of Community & Family Medicine