Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://repositorio.ufba.br/handle/ri/6898
metadata.dc.type: Artigo de Periódico
Title: Pediatric knowledge about acute viral hepatitis
Other Titles: Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases
Authors: Franca, Rita
Silva, Luciana
Melo, Maria Clotildes Nunes de
Cavalcante, Suzy
Lima, Bruno
Rocha, Anita
Gomes, Cristiana
Franca, Mônica
metadata.dc.creator: Franca, Rita
Silva, Luciana
Melo, Maria Clotildes Nunes de
Cavalcante, Suzy
Lima, Bruno
Rocha, Anita
Gomes, Cristiana
Franca, Mônica
Abstract: Knowledge about hepatotropic viruses is crucial for pediatricians because of the high prevalence of viral hepatitis during childhood. The multiplicity of hepatotropic viruses, the spectrum of acute and chronic infections, and the sequels of viral hepatitis result in a need for physicians to better understand the clinical and epidemiological context of patients with viral hepatitis, as well as the importance of prevention measures for hepatitis. A descriptive cross-sectional study was made of pediatrician's knowledge about viral hepatitis, through questionnaires to 574 pediatricians, with no obligation of identification. The pediatricians were recruited among those who attended a national Congress of Pediatrics in Brasília, Brazil. Among these pediatricians, 50.1% frequently treated cases of hepatitis, and 74.7% indicated that they had knowledge of the existence of five hepatotropic viruses; 14.5% knew about at least four types of hepatitis complications, while only 7.7% and 4.3% were able to correctly diagnose viral hepatitis A and B, respectively. Many (28.4%) did not know how to treat the patients adequately. Only 37.5% had already recommended vaccination against hepatitis B. Only 50.2% of the pediatricians had been vaccinated against hepatitis B. We concluded that it is crucial to make pediatricians more knowledgeable about viral hepatitis, through continued education programs, especially emphasizing prevention procedures.
Keywords: Hepatitis
Pediatrics
Publisher: The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Contexto Publishing
URI: http://www.repositorio.ufba.br/ri/handle/ri/6898
Issue Date: Jun-2004
Appears in Collections:Artigo Publicado em Periódico (Faculdade de Medicina)

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