Awareness of viral hepatitis among the adult population of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia)

Objective: to determine the awareness of the adult population of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) about viral hepatitis and measures for its prevention. Material and methods. An anonymous survey of the population of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) (n=226, 128 women and 98 men aged 18-76 years) on risk factors and prevention of viral hepatitis was conducted using a specially prepared questionnaire. Results. A low level of awareness of the population about viral hepatitis and measures for its prevention was established, only 22.4% of respondents consider their knowledge of viral hepatitis sufficient, a third of respondents did not know whether they are vaccinated against viral hepatitis, 49.3% of respondents noted that they do not know the possible complications that arise with chronic viral hepatitis. Gender differences in public awareness were recorded, the respondents were willing to receive additional information about viral hepatitis (76.8% of respondents), with 63.2% of respondents indicating health workers as the main source of information. Conclusion. Low awareness of respondents from the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) about viral hepatitis and measures for its prevention was established; knowledge about the routes of infection, typical symptoms, outcomes and measures for the prevention of hepatitis is fragmented; there are statistically significant differences in the awareness of men and women.