Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Heath Care Workers Regarding Transmission and Prevention of Hepatitis B Virus Infection, White Nile State, Sudan, 2013

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B virus infection is a serious blood borne disease. The objective was to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice of heath care workers regarding transmission and prevention of hepatitis B virus infection. Method: A cross-sectional, hospital-based study carried out in White Nile State, Sudan. Three hundred eighty five health care workers were selected randomly from thirteen hospitals. Structured questionnaire was used for the interview. Knowledge was tested by 16 variables related to mode of transmission and prevention. Cronbach's Alpha of 16 variables was 0.8. Quartile range was used to identify cutoff points for knowledge levels. Knowledge levels were determined as adequate, moderate and poor. Chi-Square test was used to test the knowledge against workers`workers`characteristics. Result: Education of the workers was significantly associated with knowledge of health care workers about HBV transmission and prevention. Age, sex and marital status were not associated with the level of knowledge. Laboratory technicians and labors have poor knowledge compared to doctors, pharmacist, nurses, midwives and theater operators. More than 80% of health care workers were aware about the availability of protective measures in hospitals. They were significantly practicing sterilizing instruments, wearing gloves and screened the donated blood. The attitude of health care workers after suspicious of being infected had shown that 220 do nothing, 99 consider cautery and 57 believe in voluntary testing. Conclusion: Educated health care workers have adequate knowledge about HBV transmission and prevention and labors were having poor knowledge. Health care workers that aware of available protective measures were sterilizing instruments, wearing gloves and screening the donated blood. The majority of HCWs do nothing after suspicious of HBV infection. Health awareness about hepatitis B virus is needed to target labors, laboratory technicians and other para-medical staff.