Bridging the Gap Between Knowledge and Practice: Insights into Hepatitis B Prevention and Vaccination Through a KAP Framework

Bridging the Gap Between Knowledge and Practice for Hepatitis B Prevention

Abstract

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is a hepatotropic virus that can cause chronic hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatitis B virus remains a serious public health concern in Pakistan, with Multan being no exception to its growing burden. Despite the availability of an effective vaccine, gaps in public knowledge and inconsistent preventive practices continue to fuel transmission within local communities. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge, attitude, and preventive practices (KAP) related to HBV among residents of Multan, with the goal of identifying gaps that could be addressed through targeted health education. An online, cross-sectional survey was conducted, reaching out to 500 individuals from the local community. Of these, 400 completed and valid responses were retained, giving a response rate of 80%. The questionnaire covered three core areas: participants' basic knowledge of HBV (including transmission routes, symptoms, and complications), their attitudes toward vaccination and screening, and their actual preventive practices in daily life, such as vaccination status, safe injection practices, and awareness of risk behaviors. The findings revealed that while a considerable portion of participants had heard of Hepatitis B, awareness of specific transmission modes and long-term complications, such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, was noticeably limited. Attitudes toward vaccination were generally favorable, yet actual vaccination uptake remained lower than expected, pointing to a gap between awareness and action. These results highlight that informational campaigns alone may not be sufficient; instead, community-based interventions that address practical barriers to vaccination and screening are urgently needed in Multan. Strengthening public health messaging, particularly around risk behaviors and long-term disease consequences, could help bridge the gap between what people know and what they actually do to protect themselves — an essential step toward the broader goal of HBV elimination.