Awareness of hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Senase Health Centre.

Abstract

The study focused on determining the awareness of Hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women who attend antenatal clinic (ANC) at Senase Health Center in the Senase community of the Berekum Municipality. A cross-sectional design was used to collect in-depth information for the study. A total of 50 pregnant women were sampled for the study using convenient sampling technique. The data for the study was collected by interviewing respondents. The study found that over half, 56% of the pregnant women had information about HBV vaccination. Half, 50% of the pregnant women had information on transmission routes of HBV. Less than half, 42% of the pregnant women had information on HVB prevention.Majority, 96% of the respondents mentioned that having unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person as a cause of HBV infection. Almost all, 98% the respondents mentioned blood as a mode of transmission for HBV. Majority, 91.7% received information from health workers. In assessing the risk factors associated with HBV among the respondents. Majority, 82% of the pregnant women thought they need to be tested for hepatitis B. The study recommended that Ministry of Health in Ghana should make provisions for educating women in their reproduction age about hepatitis B virus. Ghana Health Service needs to scale up efforts on the testing regime of pregnant women to at least one-time during pregnancy to identify reactive mothers for immediate management and preparation towards birth. The study concluded that though the study participant demonstrated appreciable knowledge of HBV, they were highly informed about the risk factors of HBV, and high vaccination coverage was seen as a preventive measure for HBV. Majority viewed the hospital as the best place to seek for cure or management of HBV