Original Research

Knowledge, attitudes and practices to hepatitis B among South African primary healthcare staff

Atlegang Mashilo, Itumeleng Mompati, Refilwe Ramakatane, Didintle Sebitloane, Naledi Sibi, Philippa C. Matthews, Cornel Van Rooyen, Dominique Goedhals, Sabeehah Vawda
African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine | Vol 17, No 1 | a4646 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/phcfm.v17i1.4646 | © 2025 Atlegang Mashilo, Itumeleng Mompati, Refilwe Ramakatane, Didintle Sebitloane, Naledi Sibi, Philippa C. Matthews, Cornel Van Rooyen, Dominique Goedhals, Sabeehah Vawda | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 31 May 2024 | Published: 22 January 2025

About the author(s)

Atlegang Mashilo, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Itumeleng Mompati, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Refilwe Ramakatane, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Didintle Sebitloane, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Naledi Sibi, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Philippa C. Matthews, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom; and, Department of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom; and, Department of Infectious Diseases, University College London Hospital, London, United Kingdom
Cornel Van Rooyen, Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Dominique Goedhals, Department of Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa; and, National Health Laboratory Service, Bloemfontein, South Africa; and, Department of Virology, Pathcare Laboratory, Pretoria, South Africa
Sabeehah Vawda, Department of Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa; and, National Health Laboratory Service, Bloemfontein, South Africa; and, Department of Virology, Pathcare Laboratory, Pretoria, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV), a significant cause of liver disease globally, is recognised as a 2030 elimination target by the World Health Organization (WHO). Healthcare workers (HCWs) require appropriate HBV knowledge to identify, manage and prevent HBV.

Aim: We investigated the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) pertaining to HBV among HCWs to establish insights into awareness and inform the delivery of training.

Setting: The study was conducted among HCWs of 18 primary healthcare facilities in Bloemfontein, Free State province, South Africa.

Methods: Data were collected via anonymous, self-applied, 28-question-questionnaires in English. Data were captured on a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and analysed by a biostatistician, using Statistical Analyses Software (SAS 9.4).

Results: The response rate was 88% (88/100), and median participant age was 44 years. Participants were mostly female (83%), professional nurses (65%) with more than 8 years of experience (60%). Median scores were 83% for epidemiology and transmission, 50% for clinical picture, 44% for laboratory diagnosis, 40% for management and 40% for prevention. No difference was noted based on number of years of experience.

Conclusion: Considerable gaps in KAP to HBV were noted among primary HCWs in Bloemfontein. Larger studies are needed to ascertain the KAP towards HBV among South African HCWs, to identify areas for enhanced training.

Contribution: Hepatitis B virus, an important cause of liver disease in Africa, is poorly identified and managed. Our study highlights the need to strengthen HCW education to ensure individuals are appropriately diagnosed, managed and educated on preventative measures, to reduce the burden of disease.


Keywords

hepatitis B virus; primary healthcare; hepatitis; knowledge; health education; awareness; prevention

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 3: Good health and well-being

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