Knowledge, attitudes and practices of healthcare workers at the Princess Marina Hospital in Botswana, regarding hepatitis B prevention and control.

Abstract

Introduction: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a highly infectious virus responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality world wide. Chronic HBV carriers can transmit HBV parenterally in a hospital setting putting healthcare workers (HCWs) and their patients at risk of infection. Aim and objectives: This study aimed to investigate knowledge, attitudes and practices towards prevention and control of HBV amongst nurses, doctors and laboratory personnel. Objectives were to determine: (a) the knowledge; (b) the attitudes; (c) the practices of nurses, doctors and laboratory personnel; (d) if there are any associations between (1) knowledge and practice, and (2) attitudes and practice; (e) the predictors of HBV vaccination uptake. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to doctors, laboratory staff and nurses at Princess Marina Hospital. Results: Two hundred questionnaires were distributed and a total of 117 were returned, giving an overall response rate of 58.5%. More doctors had good knowledge (38.9% [7/18]), followed by 20% (4/20) of laboratory staff and 11.4% (9/79) of nurses. Most staff (100% [20/20] of laboratory staff; 97.5% [77/79] of nurses; 94.4% [17/18] of doctors) had positive attitudes. More laboratory staff (100 [20/20]) displayed good practices, followed by nurses (94.9% [75/79]); and lastly doctors (88.9% [16/18]). There were no significant associations between knowledge or attitudes and practices. Vaccination was inadequate, with 50.9% (59/116) of HCWs having received at least one dose, and of these only 61% (36/59) receiving all 3 doses. Needle stick injuries occurred in 31.6% (37/117), while 33.9% (39/115) reported blood or body fluid splashes. None of the HCWs accessed PEP after exposure. Being a laboratory worker (OR: 148.4) or doctor (OR: 125.7) were the only predictors of vaccination uptake. Conclusion: There is need to increase knowledge of HCWs, vaccination availability, vaccination uptake, PEP, and reduce the exposures of HCWs.