Knowledge and attitudes of healthcare professionals employed in tertiary healthcare institutions about hepatitis B and prevention measures

Abstract

Introduction: Hepatitis B infection is an occupational disease of professionals healthcare professionals at the global level. It is estimated that 600,000 to 800,000 healthcare professionals in the world experience an accident at work. The results of evidence-based studies suggest that there is a gap in knowledge about HBV among healthcare professionals. Aim: The aim of this research is to assess knowledge and attitudes about the hepatitis B virus and prevention measures in the population of healthcare professionals employed in tertiary healthcare institutions in Montenegro. Material and Methods: A transversal prospective research ("cross-sectional" study) was conducted, where the results were obtained using the original author's questionnaire. The research was conducted in a tertiary level health institution (Clinical Center of Montenegro). The questionnaire was conducted on a voluntary and anonymous basis. Among the methods of inferential statistics, Pearson's rank coefficient and ANOVA test were used. Among the statistical methods, the Chi square test (X 2-test) was used. The results are shown in a table. The level of significance is p<0.05. Results: There were 272 health professionals who took part in the research, among whom the largest share in the research was nurses and technicians with a percentage of participation of 76.1%, then doctors 17.3%, laboratory technicians 5.5%. The majority of respondents were female gender 77%, while male respondents participated in the research with 23%. The average age of our respondents was 38.76 years. The results of our research showed a high level of knowledge of professionals healthcare professionals about the ways of transmission of HBV infection, while a significantly lower level of knowledge of professionals healthcare professionals about knowing the symptoms of HBV infection and the risk of developing certain diseases caused by this virus is recorded. Of the examined group of health professionals, 81.5% point out that they are often exposed to contact with the patient's blood in their work, while 52.2% of respondents state that in their previous work they had an accident in which they came into contact with the patient's blood one or more times. Conclusion: Analyzing the data obtained from the research, one gets the impression of incomplete information, knowledge and interest about the HBV virus among health professionals , especially when it comes to the respondents' knowledge of the symptoms of this infection, its risk for the occurrence of other diseases and the importance of general and specific prevention. In this regard, as a proposal for measures to be planned and implemented in KCCG, it would primarily refer to the continuous education of employees at all levels of education.