Publication: Knowledge, attitude, and behaviors toward liver health and viral hepatitis-related liver diseases in Thailand
Issued Date
2021-12-23
Resource Type
ISSN
15365964
00257974
00257974
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-85122281260
Rights
Mahidol University
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Medicine (United States). Vol.100, No.51 (2021), E28308
Suggested Citation
Pochamana Phisalprapa, Tawesak Tanwandee, Boon Leong Neo, Shikha Singh Knowledge, attitude, and behaviors toward liver health and viral hepatitis-related liver diseases in Thailand. Medicine (United States). Vol.100, No.51 (2021), E28308. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000028308 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/77396
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Authors
Journal Issue
Thesis
Title
Knowledge, attitude, and behaviors toward liver health and viral hepatitis-related liver diseases in Thailand
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
This study aimed to quantify and evaluate the knowledge and awareness toward liver health and diseases as well as explore the attitudes and knowledge toward screening, diagnosis, and treatment of liver disease among the Thai population.This is a cross-sectional, self-reported and web-based questionnaire study. Awareness, perceptions and attitudes toward liver-related health and diseases as well as screening, diagnosis and treatment of liver diseases were assessed among 500 Thai adults.Respondents were mostly ≥35years (62.0%) and females (52.0%). While there was an overall awareness regarding viral hepatitis as the main etiology of liver failure/cancer, respondents expressed misperceptions that hint at social stigmatization or discrimination toward infected individuals. A significant proportion lacked knowledge of liver screening tests and relevant diagnostic tests for viral hepatitis-related liver diseases. Screening or treatment costs and perception of being healthy were among reasons for not seeking medical consultation when exposed to risk factors or diagnosed. Treatment practices of hepatitis included prescription medication (59.1%), functional foods (51.8%) and traditional treatment (28.2%). Multivariate analysis identified income, recent health screening status and being diagnosed with liver disease(s) as significant predictors of the knowledge, attitude, and behaviors of the Thai population toward liver diseases.This study highlighted a degree of misperception and lack of in-depth understanding toward hepatitis-related liver diseases including poor attitudes and knowledge toward screening, diagnosis, and treatment of liver diseases. Factors identified suggest an unmet need to encourage proactive health-seeking behaviors to reduce transmission risks of hepatitis-related liver diseases within the community.