KNOWLEDGE AND TREATMENT PRACTICES OF HEPATITIS B INFECTION IN CHILDREN AMONG HEALTH PRACTITIONERS IN KRACHI DISTRICTS IN GHANA-A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

AbstractIntroductionHepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains one of the neglected infectious diseases. Children infected with HBV are at higher risk of becoming chronic carriers. Barriers to measures against HBV in children is attributed to inadequate knowledge by some health professionals. This study assessed knowledge and treatment practices of HBV in children among health professionals.MethodsA cross sectional survey was conducted among health practitioners (185) in three districts in Krachi using structured questionnaire. Stata version 15 was used to analyze participants’ responses on awareness, knowledge and treatment practices. Pearson’s Product Moment correlation was used to determine the relationship between knowledge, treatment and preventive practices. Multivariate regression analysis assessed the relationships between variables at p<0.05 and 95% confidence interval.Results64% of the participants were nurses. 80% were aware of HBV in children and 85% had only fair knowledge about HBV in children. Only 29% indicated good knowledge and management practices of HBV in children. There was a positive relationship between knowledge, and treatment (r (183) = .67, p < .001)and preventive (r (183) = .54, p < .001) practices. A unit increase in awareness of HBV in children leads to 1.42 units increase in knowledge(p < .01, 95% CI; .543, 2.296), while a unit increase in knowledge result in 1.3 units increase in treatment ((p < .01, 95% CI;.912, 1.680) practice of HBV in children.ConclusionParticipants demonstrated only fair knowledge about HBV in children. Seminars and workshops on HBV in children for health professionals must intensify.