Awareness, knowledge, and practices related to hepatitis B and hepatitis C in the Republic of Uzbekistan—Results from a population-based survey, 2022

BACKGROUND: Patient and healthcare provider knowledge were previously found to be significantly associated with viral hepatitis testing in Uzbekistan. However, no survey has assessed awareness and knowledge of viral hepatitis among the general population. METHODS: In 2022, we conducted a cross-sectional population-based survey among persons aged≥18 years in seven of Uzbekistan's 14 regions representing 60% of the population. We conducted face-to-face interviews to assess hepatitis B and C awareness, knowledge, and related practices. Knowledge scores for hepatitis B and C were calculated based on the total number of correct answers. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed to assess factors associated with awareness and knowledge scores. Analyses were weighted. RESULTS: Of 10,000 targeted adults, 9,066 (91%) participated in the survey. Overall, 54.7% (95% CI: 46.4-62.8) and 39.0% (95% CI: 33.0-45.4) were aware of hepatitis B and hepatitis C, respectively. Females compared to males (hepatitis B: aOR: 2.61 (95% CI: 1.91-3.56); hepatitis C: 2.15 (1.76-2.63)) and persons with higher education compared to those with technical education (hepatitis B: aOR: 1.89 (95% CI:1.32-2.71); hepatitis C: 2.30 (1.63-3.25)) had higher hepatitis B and hepatitis C awareness. The median knowledge scores for hepatitis B and hepatitis C transmission were 4.9 (IQR: 4.2-6.3) out of nine and 4.8 (IQR: 4.2-5.9) out of eight, respectively. Median knowledge scores for prevention methods were 1.7 (IQR: 1.2-2.4) and 2.3 (IQR: 0.7-2.9) out of five for hepatitis B and hepatitis C, respectively. Persons ≥50 years old compared to 18-29 years old and those with less than secondary education compared to those with technical education had lower knowledge scores for hepatitis B. Living outside of Tashkent city and being unemployed were associated with having lower knowledge scores for hepatitis C. Overall,28.8% reported having ever been tested for hepatitis B and 17.7% for hepatitis C; while 8.2% and 2.3% reported being told that they have hepatitis B and hepatitis C, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Educational campaigns are needed to promote population awareness and address knowledge gaps to increase uptake of interventions aimed at eliminating viral hepatitis in Uzbekistan.