KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND PRACTICES TOWARDS HEPATITIS B INFECTION AMONG HEALTHCARE WORKERS AT AIC KIJABE HOSPITAL

Abstract

Hepatitis B (HBV) infection is a public health burden worldwide. In its chronicity, the infection causes chronic liver diseases that can be fatal. In Kenya, the prevalence of HBV infection has been increasing despite the availability of the HBV vaccine. However, there is a paucity of data regarding HCWs’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices on HBV infection. This study aimed to investigate healthcare workers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices in managing chronic hepatitis B infection. This was a descriptive cross-sectional survey at Kijabe Hospital. It included 254 out of the 350 frontline healthcare workers thus a 73% response rate. Informed consent was obtained from all the participants. Ethical approval from KUREC (KUREC- 090323), KHERC (KH/ISERC/02718/0054/2023), and a research license from NACOSTI (NACOSTI/P/23/24856). Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires and analysed using STATA v18. Variable associations were determined using a chi-squared test, with statistical significance set at p˂0.05. The correlation between the dependent variables is determined by Spearman's correlation coefficient. About 80.3% were aged between 25 and 35 years, 65.4% of all the respondents being females. Most of the respondents were diploma holders with most serving in OPD and critical care areas. Only 39.37% had high-level knowledge, while 81.89% had a good attitude, and only 3.54%, had good practices. Knowledge was found to have a significant association with age (p=0.047), level of education (p=0.001), cadre (p=0.001), and service department (p=0.001). Spearman’s rank correlations showed a weak positive correlation between knowledge and attitudes (r=0.0939, p=0.1354) and a weak negative correlation between Knowledge-Practices (r=-0.1553, p=0.0132) and Attitudes- Practices (r=-0.0235, p=0.7089). Most participants had a moderate level of knowledge, good attitudes, and poor practices towards HBV infection. We recommend regular training to help improve HCWs' KAP at Kijabe Hospital.