Prevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen and KAP Towards HBV Infection, among pregnant women Attending Selected Antenatal Clinics in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Creators: name: Bayuh, Fikremariam
Publisher: name: National Academic Digital Repository of Ethiopia
Year: 2014

description: Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a highly contagious virus which is 50-100 times more infectious than HIV but have similar mode of transmission. Chronic HBV infection remains a major health threat. The prevalence of HBV infection among an antenatal population may be a reliable indicator of HBV prevalence rate in the general population. However, the knowledge, attitude, practice and the prevalence of HBV infection among pregnant women are not studied well in developing countries like Ethiopia. Objective: To assess the magnitude of Hepatitis B surface antigen and level of knowledge, attitude practices related to Hepatitis B infection among pregnant women attending three Health Centers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Method: A cross sectional study was conducted from March to May 2014 among pregnant women attending selected Health Centers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A total of 260 pregnant women were included in the study. Volunteer participants were asked to complete a questionnaire, and offered testing for HBsAg infection. The Health Centers were selected based on convenience sampling technique. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 16 software. Chi square test and odds ratios were used to determine association between dependent and independent variables. Levels of statistical significance were determined at P value &lt; 0.05. Result: Of the total of 254 screened pregnant women, 4.7% were positive for HBsAg. The highest prevalence (8.7%) was observed among 30-34 age groups, among self employed (6.7%), in those with primary education (7.6%), and those having three children (6.5%). However, there was no statistically significant association between the prevalence of HBsAg and socio demographic characteristics P &gt; 0.05. Out of 254 participants, 138(60.8%) were related the poor knowledge range. Poor knowledge were seen apparent in responses to questions relating to, 28.7% they have heard of a disease termed as hepatitis B, only 18.9 believed that HBV is viral disease, 12.2% know symptom of the Hepatitis B and 18.9% that transmission can occur from mother to child during pregnancy. Educated participant had more knowledge about the HBV and were reduce risk of HBV infected. [AOR=0.13; 95%CI, 0.04-0.52, P=0.004] and those with better knowledge were three times more likely to be tested for HBV [AOR=2.83; 95%CI, 1.3-6.1 P= 0.00]. Majority of the respondents 214 (84.3%) believe that they can never get infected with HBV, 11.8% stated that they will go to traditional healer to get treated for HB. 125 (49.2%) agreed to consult a physician as their first choice of treatment as a good attitude towards the virus. The overall negative practice were 57.3%, 219 (86.2%) never had HBV screening and 248 (97.6%) stated a negative immunized status against HB and 239(94.1%) have never attended any health educational program on HB. But, 198 (79.0%) participants agreed that they will go for further investigation and treatment if they are infected with HB. Conclusion: The prevalence rate of HBsAg was 4.7%. The overall good knowledge of the participants was 39.2%, low responses were seen attitude related questions and good practice was 42.7%. Although Hepatitis is recognized to be one of the major health problems, these findings indicate a lack of understanding about control and the prevention of HB. Therefore, public health measures must include regular health education. Key Words: HBsAg, Seroprevalence, KAP, Pregnant women.