Prevalence of hepatitis B infection: Knowledge and practice toward Hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Adwa town, North Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and 100 times contagious than HIV. Mother to child transmission leads to chronic infections and remain as public health threat. There is scarce study about prevalence of HBsAg; knowledge and practice of pregnant women regarding HBV infection in the study area. Therefore, this study aimed to assess prevalence HBsAg; level of knowledge and practice toward HBV infection among pregnant women in Adwa town. Methods: Facility based cross sectional study was employed among 337 pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics from March 28 to May 4, 2017 in Adwa town. Pregnant mothers were selected consecutively. Data was collected using a pre tested questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine association between independent and the outcome variable. P value less than 0.05 at 95% confidence interval were used for statistical significance. Results: The overall seroprevalence of HBsAg among pregnant mothers was 3.9% (95%CI: 1.8-6.2). Education of Pregnant mothers (secondary school and above) (AOR=2.3, 95%CI: 1.2-4.7) and Occupation of pregnant mothers (employed pregnant mothers) (AOR=2.5, 95%CI: 1.5-4.3) were independently associated with knowledge score of pregnant mother toward HBV infection transmission. Occupation of pregnant mothers (employed pregnant mothers (AOR=4.4:95%:1.5-12.0), age group 31-41years old pregnant mothers (AOR=3.7:95%CI: 1.3-10.7) and knowledge score of pregnant mothers (AOR=1.3, 95%CI: 1.2-1.5) were independently associated with good preventive technique pregnant mothers toward HBV infection. Conclusion: The seroprevalence of HBsAg among pregnant mothers was intermediate endemic. Education and occupation status of pregnant mothers was factors with the knowledge score of pregnant mothers toward HBV infection transmission. Therefore, sustainable community based health education intervention about HBV transmission and prevention is important to raising awareness among pregnant mothers.