Health care professionals' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors around Hepatitis B virus infection

Abstract

Background:
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a significant global public health concern, affecting approximately 10% of the global population and leading to over 1 million deaths annually. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) face elevated occupational risks of HBV exposure due to contact with infectious materials. Effective vaccination and adherence to preventive measures can mitigate these risks, yet knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among HCPs vary, often influenced by professional roles and training.
Methods
This study was conducted at a 400-bed teaching hospital. Using simple random sampling, 297 HCPs participated by completing a self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.1, with descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression applied to explore associations between variables.
Results:
Of the 297 participants, 73.1% demonstrated good knowledge about HBV transmission, progression, and vaccination. The majority (94.6%) perceived HBV as a significant health concern, and 94% recognized the importance of vaccination. Work overload and time pressures were identified as primary reasons for occupational HBV exposure. Multivariate regression revealed that medical doctors were 8.4 times more likely to have better knowledge compared to other HCPs (adjusted odds ratio = 8.399, CI = 1.536–45.936).
Conclusion:
HCPs exhibited good overall knowledge and positive attitudes toward HBV and its vaccination, with medical doctors showing significantly higher levels of awareness. However, work-related stressors contributing to exposure highlight the need for tailored training and preventive interventions to improve safety protocols and vaccine uptake among all healthcare roles.