Are teenagers aware of the risk of a hepatitis B virus infection as a sexually transmitted disease?

No study has as yet investigated knowledge among adolescents about infectious diseases and liver diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate knowledge among German teenagers about hepatitis B, routes of HBV transmission, preventive measures and their vaccination status. Altogether, 1262 students with a mean age of 14.28 years (SD 0.84; range 12-19; = high level secondary school n = 625; = average level secondary school n = 405; = low level secondary school, n = 232) were interviewed using a standardized questionnaire. Knowledge among teenagers about hepatitis B was highly heterogeneous. Although most students had already heard about hepatitis B as a particular form of liver disease, 16% of students knew nothing at all about HBV. Importantly, less than half of students were aware that HBV infection can be acquired through drug abuse and sexual intercourse. In line with these findings only 30-40% knew that the use of condoms reduces the risk of HBV infection, irrespective of the level of education. Girls reported the possibility of vertical HBV transmission more often than boys (38% vs. 29%; p = < 0,001). That vaccination is a preventive measure against HBV was known to 80% of students but to only 67% of and 65% of students (p < 0.001). Despite this knowledge about vaccination, only 40% of students knew whether that they had been vaccinated at least once. Girls knew their immunization status better than boys (56% vs. 49%; p = < 0.001). Irrespective of school type, German adolescents show limited knowledge about the risk of HBV infection. Measures to increase awareness of preventive measures and vaccination for students with unknown vaccination status are recommended.