KNOWLEDGE LEVEL OF THE MANAGEMENT OF HEPATITIS B DURING PREGNANCY AMONG SPECIALIST AND RESIDENTS OF THE OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY: A SURVEY STUDY FROM TURKEY

Abstract

In this study, it is aimed to assess the levels of knowledge of specialists and residents of gynecology and obstetrics in Turkey, concerning management of Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-positive pregnant women. A cross-sectional online survey study was conducted on Gynecology and Obstetrics specialists and residents between November 2019 and February 2020. Questionnaire form concerning management of HBV-positive pregnant women, which was prepared by researchers on the basis of literature, has been sent to Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinics and departments of Turkey via online means. The questionnaire form consisted of sections including socio-demographic characteristics (age group, gender, time spent as a specialist doctor/resident (years), place of work) and assessing the level of knowledge concerning the management of HBV(+) pregnant women. The questions in this section were created by the researchers based on the literature. These questions are not questions of a scale whose validity and reliability studies have been conducted. Knowledge Level Score on the management of HBV-positive pregnant women (KLS) has been calculated in a range of 0 to 18 points. Statistics Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 was used for statistical analysis. A total of 215 physicians, including 50 residents (23.3%) and 165 (76.7%) specialists, have participated in the study. Since normal distribution was not observed as a result of normality evaluation, mean values are presented as median (25%-75%). Median KLS was found as 8.0 (7.0-10.0). In residents, KLS was 8.0 (6.75-9.0), and in specialists, it was 8.0 (7.0-10.0). There was no statistically significant difference between the scores of residents and specialists. The median level of knowledge of the physicians participating in the study about Hepatitis B treatment in pregnant women was 8.0 (7.0-10.0). This score was interpreted as “inadequate” out of a maximum of 18 points, by researchers. Despite limitations, this study has shown the inadequacy of level of knowledge of gynecologists and obstetricians in Turkey concerning management of Hepatitis B in pregnant women. There is a need for further studies and continuous training of Gynecologists and Obstetricians.