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. 2023 Nov 16:2023:9168038.
doi: 10.1155/2023/9168038. eCollection 2023.

Knowledge and Willingness to Utilize Hepatitis B Preventive Measures among Pregnant Women in Ado-Ekiti, Southwest, Nigeria

Idowu Pius Ade-Ojo  1   2 , Adefunke Olarinre Babatola  3   4 , Temitope Olumuyiwa Ojo  5 , Ezra Olatunde Ogundare  3   4 , Tosin Agbesanwa  6 , Adewuyi Temidayo Adeniyi  3   4 , Omolola Alao  2 , Oladele Simeon Olatunya  3   4 , Joseph Olusesan Fadare  7
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Knowledge and Willingness to Utilize Hepatitis B Preventive Measures among Pregnant Women in Ado-Ekiti, Southwest, Nigeria

Idowu Pius Ade-Ojo et al. Interdiscip Perspect Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Introduction: Mother-to-child transmission remains an important mode of transmission of hepatitis B infection particularly in endemic areas. The knowledge and practices of pregnant women about mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) may influence the uptake of strategies to reduce mother-to-child transmission of infection.

Objectives: This study assessed the knowledge and willingness to uptake hepatitis B virus infection preventive services among pregnant women in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that involved 373 pregnant women at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) and Maternal Child Specialist Clinics, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used to assess their knowledge, practices, and perceptions about MTCT of hepatitis B infection.

Results: Only 52.5% (196) of the respondents had good knowledge, although the majority 290 (77.7%) had heard of hepatitis B infection prior to the survey. Only 147 (39.4%) of the respondents had ever had hepatitis B screening. More persons with professional jobs had good knowledge about hepatitis B infection compared with other occupations (p < 0.001). However, more respondents aged 30-34 years had poor knowledge about hepatitis B infection compared with other age groups (p = 0.045). Respondents with good knowledge about hepatitis B infection were willing to uptake hepatitis B infection prevention services (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: This study showed that respondents with professional jobs had good knowledge about hepatitis B infection and those who had good knowledge about the infection were willing to utilize hepatitis B preventive measures. Awareness of MTCT of HBV did not translate into good practice as only few respondents had screened for hepatitis B. There is a need to intensify education about modes of transmission of hepatitis B infection with an emphasis on promoting good preventive practices.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Awareness of hepatitis B and practice of HBV screening among respondents.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Respondents' willingness to uptake hepatitis B preventive services.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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