A SURVEY OF KNOWLEDGE OF PARAMEDICAL STAFF IN OB-GYN FACILITY ABOUT HEPATITIS B
Main Article Content
Keywords
Hepatitis B, paramedical staff, obstetrics and gynecology, knowledge assessment, healthcare-associated infections
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge and behavior of paramedical staff working in an obstetrics and gynecology (Ob-Gyn) facility regarding the transmission and prevention of Hepatitis B.
Method: A prospective, cross-sectional study design was employed to assess paramedical staff knowledge about hepatitis B. The study was conducted at Lady Willingdon Hospital, reserved only for Ob-Gyn services after ethical approval from King Edward Medical University. A convenience sampling method was used to recruit participants, which included nurses, student nurses, operation theatre assistants and helpers and ward helpers. Data was collected using a newly developed questionnaire in English and Urdu, covering socio-demographic information and knowledge and behavior towards hepatitis B. The questionnaire was validated through a pilot test, and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics in SPSS 20.0 and Excel.
Results: Out of 400 questionnaires sent out, 192 valid questionnaires were recovered, giving a response rate of 48%. The mean age of respondents was 30.94±9.93years, with 84.3% being female. The majority of respondents was from Lahore (55.9%) and had completed their nursing education (9.4%). The survey revealed a low overall level of knowledge about Hepatitis B, with only 19.7% of participants showing adequate basic knowledge. Misconceptions were prevalent, particularly regarding transmission routes and prevention methods.
Conclusion: The study highlights the need for targeted educational programs to improve knowledge and awareness of Hepatitis B among paramedical staff. Addressing knowledge gaps can enhance infection control practices and improve patient outcomes in obstetrics and gynecology settings.
References
2- Khalid M. , Rehman S. , Ali A. , Azam S. , Yaqoob R. , Faizan M. et al.. Prevalence of hepatitis b & c in bahawalpur region, punjab, pakistan.. Frontiers in Chemical Sciences 2021;2(2):175-182. https://doi.org/10.52700/fcs.v2i2.23
3- Lokpo S. , Dakorah M. , Norgbe G. , Osei-Yeboah J. , Adzakpah G. , Sarsah I. et al.. The burden and trend of blood-borne pathogens among asymptomatic adult population in akwatia: a retrospective study at the st. dominic hospital, ghana. Journal of Tropical Medicine 2017;2017:1-7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/3452513
4- 2-Shlomai A. , Schwartz R. , Ramanan V. , Bhatta A. , Jong Y. , Bhatia S. et al.. Modeling host interactions with hepatitis b virus using primary and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatocellular systems. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 2014;111(33):12193-12198. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1412631111
5- Suarez A. , Testoni B. , & Zoulim F.. Hbv 2021: new therapeutic strategies against an old foe. Liver International 2021;41(S1):15-23. https://doi.org/10.1111/liv.14851
6- Hussein N. , Ismail A. , & Jama S.. Assessment of hepatitis b vaccination status and associated factors among healthcare workers in Bosaso, Puntland, Somalia 2020. BioMed Research International 2022;2022:1-7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/9074294
7- Sammour A. , Elijla Y. , Alsarafandi M. , Aldabbour B. , Kanou L. , Almaidana F. et al.. Knowledge, attitude, and practice among palestinian healthcare workers in the gaza strip towards hepatitis b. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal 2023;23(3):370-379. https://doi.org/10.18295/squmj.1.2023.004
8- Mwansisya T. , Mbekenga C. , Isangula K. , Mwasha L. , Pallangyo E. , Edwards G. et al.. Translation and validation of training needs analysis questionnaire among reproductive, maternal and newborn health workers in tanzania. BMC Health Services Research 2021;21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06686-9
9- Kareem F. , Mohammad R. , Zardawi F. , & Gul S.. Knowledge about hepatitis b virus and relevant safety precautions among dental students in kurdistan region, iraq. Journal of Environmental and Public Health 2022;2022:1-8. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/8516944
10- Alaridah N. , Joudeh R. , Al-Abdallat H. , Jarrar R. , Ismail L. , Jum’ah M. et al.. Knowledge, attitude, and practices toward hepatitis b infection among healthcare students—a nationwide cross-sectional study in jordan. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2023;20(5):4348. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054348
11- Lakoh S. , García-Tardón N. , Adekanmbi O. , Valk M. , Smith S. , & Grobusch M.. Prevalence of viral hepatitis b and c in sierra leone—current knowledge and knowledge gaps: a narrative review. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2021;115(10):1106-1113. https://doi.org/10.1093/trstmh/trab054
12- Parvaresh Z, Kazemi A, Ehsanpour S, Sajadi HS. Evaluating performance of the operational managers of obstetrics and gynecology service providing wards. Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. 2016 Nov-Dec;21(6):635-639. doi: 10.4103/1735-9066.197679. PMID: 28194206; PMCID: PMC5301073.
13- Fennell R. and Grant B.. Discussing sexuality in health care: a systematic review. Journal of Clinical Nursing 2019;28(17-18):3065-3076. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.14900
14- Subramanian H. , Jonnalagadda R. , Walrond E. , & Moseley H.. Knowledge, attitudes and practice of healthcare ethics and law among doctors and nurses in barbados. BMC Medical Ethics 2006;7(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6939-7-7
15- Hussein N. , Ismail A. , & Jama S.. Assessment of hepatitis b vaccination status and associated factors among healthcare workers in bosaso, puntland, somalia 2020. BioMed Research International 2022;2022:1-7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/9074294
16- Srivastava, D., Kk, S., Gupta, A., Sharma, S., Mir, H., & Saleem, A. (2020). Assessment of knowledge and attitude towards hepatitis b infection among health-care professionals in a north indian city. International Healthcare Research Journal, 3(12), 383-389. https://doi.org/10.26440/ihrj/0312.03325
17- Srivastava, D., Kk, S., Gupta, A., Sharma, S., Mir, H., & Saleem, A. (2020). Assessment of knowledge and attitude towards hepatitis b infection among health-care professionals in a north indian city. International Healthcare Research Journal, 3(12), 383-389. https://doi.org/10.26440/ihrj/0312.03325
18- Cailhol, J. and Khan, N. (2020). Chronic hepatitis and hiv risks amongst pakistani migrant men in a french suburb and insights into health promotion interventions: the anrs musafir qualitative study.. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.2.19437/v2
19- Ma X. , Wensheng B. , ZengPing H. , Puren L. , Jian-hai Z. , Xitao A. et al.. Mother to child blocking of hepatitis b virus and post vaccination serological test in qinghai province. 2018. https://doi.org/10.1101/502658
20- Thompson P. , Morgan C. , Ngimbi P. , Mwandagalirwa K. , Ravelomanana N. , Tabala M. et al.. Arresting vertical transmission of hepatitis b virus (avert-hbv) in pregnant women and their neonates in the democratic republic of the congo: a feasibility study. The Lancet Global Health 2021;9(11):e1600-e1609. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2214-109x(21)00304-1
21- Chang M. , Gavini S. , Andrade P. , & McNabb‐Baltar J.. Caesarean section to prevent transmission of hepatitis b: a meta-analysis. Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology 2014;28(8):439-444. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/350179
22- Wright C. , Boudarène L. , Ha N. , Wu O. , & Hawkins N.. A systematic review of hepatitis b screening economic evaluations in low- and middle-income countries. BMC Public Health 2018;18(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-5261-8
23- Rutala W. and Weber D.. Disinfection, sterilization, and control of hospital waste. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases 2015:3294-3309.e4. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-1-4557-4801-3.00301-5
Article Sidebar
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
All articles published in JPTCP are licensed under Copyright Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Shazia Saaqib
Allama Iqbal Medical College Lahore
Amna Zia
Fatima Jinnah Medical University, Lahore
Yasaan Saaqib
Gujranwala Medical College, Gujranwala