OBJECTIVE: To evaluate current levels of hepatitis-B-related knowledge and clinical practice among perinatal nurses. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Santa Clara County, California, home to one of the largest U.S. populations at risk of perinatal hepatitis B transmission. PARTICIPANTS: Perinatal nurses (N = 518) from eight birthing hospitals. METHODS: In 2008-2010, nurses completed a baseline survey evaluating existing hepatitis-B-related knowledge and preventive clinical practices, participated in an educational seminar, received instructional materials about hepatitis B, and completed a follow-up knowledge survey. RESULTS: Eighty percent of perinatal nurses had provided health care to a pregnant woman with chronic hepatitis B, but only 51% routinely provided patients with educational information about hepatitis B. While 75% routinely informed patients about effective methods to prevent mother-to-child transmission, only a small minority (17-34%) educated infected women about standard recommendations for protecting themselves and household members. One fourth or fewer nurses correctly answered most questions about hepatitis B prevalence, risks, and symptoms. After the educational seminar, knowledge increased statistically significantly. CONCLUSION: Existing knowledge about hepatitis B is limited, and nationally recommended preventive clinical practices are commonly overlooked by perinatal nurses. This lack of knowledge and preventive care represents a noteworthy gap and an opportunity for targeted training and education to improve perinatal hepatitis B prevention and medical management of infected mothers.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate current levels of hepatitis-B-related knowledge and clinical practice among perinatal nurses. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Santa Clara County, California, home to one of the largest U.S. populations at risk of perinatal hepatitis B transmission. PARTICIPANTS: Perinatal nurses (N = 518) from eight birthing hospitals. METHODS: In 2008-2010, nurses completed a baseline survey evaluating existing hepatitis-B-related knowledge and preventive clinical practices, participated in an educational seminar, received instructional materials about hepatitis B, and completed a follow-up knowledge survey. RESULTS: Eighty percent of perinatal nurses had provided health care to a pregnant woman with chronic hepatitis B, but only 51% routinely provided patients with educational information about hepatitis B. While 75% routinely informed patients about effective methods to prevent mother-to-child transmission, only a small minority (17-34%) educated infected women about standard recommendations for protecting themselves and household members. One fourth or fewer nurses correctly answered most questions about hepatitis B prevalence, risks, and symptoms. After the educational seminar, knowledge increased statistically significantly. CONCLUSION: Existing knowledge about hepatitis B is limited, and nationally recommended preventive clinical practices are commonly overlooked by perinatal nurses. This lack of knowledge and preventive care represents a noteworthy gap and an opportunity for targeted training and education to improve perinatal hepatitis B prevention and medical management of infected mothers.
Authors: Charles Ampong Adjei; Richard Asamoah; Fidelis Atibila; Gilbert Nachinab Ti-Enkawol; Michael Ansah-Nyarko Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2016-07-11 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Thi T Hang Pham; Thuy X Le; Dong T Nguyen; Chau M Luu; Bac D Truong; Phu D Tran; Mehlika Toy; Selen Bozkurt; Samuel So Journal: PLoS One Date: 2019-10-14 Impact factor: 3.240