Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practices regarding hepatitis C virus disease among university students: a cross-sectional study

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a significant public health issue in India due to lack of awareness. This research assessed the knowledge, attitudes and practices of university students regarding HCV. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was conducted among 390 students. Random sampling technique was used to select the participants. Data was collected by using a questionnaire included four sections which are demographic, knowledge, attitude and practices and were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests Results: Although majority of the students (65.6%) had heard of HCV and 60.8% correctly identified it as a viral liver infection, many misconceptions persisted including the belief that a vaccine is available (55.7%). Risky behaviors such as receiving injections from unregistered practitioners (8.7%) and sharing personal items (39.5% not always avoiding) were reported. A significant association was found between education level and comfort in interacting with HCV-positive individuals (p=0.006). Conclusions: These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted educational interventions to improve awareness and reduce stigma regarding HCV disease.