Knowledge, Attitude, and Associated Factors Towards Vertical Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care in Tertiary Hospitals in Amhara Region, Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Knowledge, attitude, and practice towards hepatitis B and C virus infection and associated factors among adults living at selected woredas in Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver tissue. It is one of the serious public health problems. Though an individuals' knowledge, attitude, and practice level is very vital in order to ensure the control of its adverse health impacts, little is known regarding these issues in the community level. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice towards hepatitis B and C virus infection and associated factors among adults living at selected woredas in Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

METHODS

Community based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 633 adults living at selected woredas in Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Data were collected by pretested, well-structured questionnaire. The collected data were checked, coded and entered into Epi-data version 4.6.0.2 and were exported to SPSS version 25 for analyses. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were done to identify independent factors associated with knowledge, attitude, and practice towards hepatitis B and C virus infection.

RESULTS

According to this study, 366(58.1%), 95% CI: (54.23-61.96) of the participants had good knowledge. 381(60.5%), 95% CI: (56.65-64.30) of the participants had favourable attitude. 317(50.3%), 95% CI: (46.40-54.23) of the participants had good practice. From factor analysis, sex, number of sexual partners, sharing sharp material, and vaccination status were significantly associated with knowledge; residence, occupational status, income level, sharing sharp material, and vaccination status were significantly associated with attitude; and residence, occupational status, and vaccination status were identified to be significantly associated with practice towards Hepatitis B and C virus infection.

CONCLUSION

Based on the study findings, it could be observed that good knowledge, favourable attitude, and good practice were indicated nearly above the half, only by half, and nearly above the half of the study participants respectively. Implementing actions that could increase awareness regarding limiting the number of sexual partner, not sharing sharp materials, and urbanization is recommended. Moreover, woreda administrators, and other related authorities should consider knowledge, attitude, and practice as an implementation area, and also it would be better to create an opportunities to promote vaccination practices.

Knowledge and Willingness to Utilize Hepatitis B Preventive Measures among Pregnant Women in Ado-Ekiti, Southwest, Nigeria

Introduction

Mother-to-child transmission remains an important mode of transmission of hepatitis B infection particularly in endemic areas. The knowledge and practices of pregnant women about mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) may influence the uptake of strategies to reduce mother-to-child transmission of infection.

Objectives

This study assessed the knowledge and willingness to uptake hepatitis B virus infection preventive services among pregnant women in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study that involved 373 pregnant women at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) and Maternal Child Specialist Clinics, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used to assess their knowledge, practices, and perceptions about MTCT of hepatitis B infection.

Results

Only 52.5% (196) of the respondents had good knowledge, although the majority 290 (77.7%) had heard of hepatitis B infection prior to the survey. Only 147 (39.4%) of the respondents had ever had hepatitis B screening. More persons with professional jobs had good knowledge about hepatitis B infection compared with other occupations (p < 0.001). However, more respondents aged 30-34 years had poor knowledge about hepatitis B infection compared with other age groups (p = 0.045). Respondents with good knowledge about hepatitis B infection were willing to uptake hepatitis B infection prevention services (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

This study showed that respondents with professional jobs had good knowledge about hepatitis B infection and those who had good knowledge about the infection were willing to utilize hepatitis B preventive measures. Awareness of MTCT of HBV did not translate into good practice as only few respondents had screened for hepatitis B. There is a need to intensify education about modes of transmission of hepatitis B infection with an emphasis on promoting good preventive practices.

Prevalence and knowledge of hepatitis B infection in pregnant women in a primary health center of Patna district, Bihar

Introduction:

There is a risk of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)infection to the newborn through perinatal transmission from a hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive mother that can later cause liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. This study was undertaken in a primary health center (PHC)in the Patna district to determine the prevalence of HBV among pregnant women and assess their knowledge across different characteristics.

Methodology:

A cross-sectional study was done among 275 pregnant women attending the PHC for the first time, using consecutive sampling. The study duration was 12 months. Socioeconomic, obstetric, risk history, and levels of knowledge about hepatitis B were collected followed by rapid diagnostic test (RDT)for serum HBsAg. Univariate analysis was used to compare the knowledge levels across different background characteristics. The significance was set at P < 0.05.

Results:

Hepatitis B-positive pregnant women were 0.4%. Out of the 275 participants, only 43 had heard about hepatitis B. The mean knowledge score was 0.65 (±1.73) with 1.45% having adequate knowledge. The knowledge score was significant across education (P 0.040), category (P 0.022), hepatitis B immunization status (P 0.003), and risk factor (P 0.039).

Conclusion:

Knowledge was higher in the literate women belonging to the general category and higher social class, who received hepatitis B vaccination. However, the overall level of knowledge among the pregnant women was very poor, so they should be targeted for quality health education. Additionally, identifying the afflicted pregnant women through point-of-contact diagnosis will aid in community prevention of chronic hepatitis B.