# Hepatitis B prevalence, knowledge and attitudes among health-care workers and antenatal mothers attending a tertiary hospital in South Tarawa, Kiribati: insights from a 2022 cross-sectional study

## TL;DR

A 2022 study in Kiribati found high hepatitis B prevalence and variable knowledge among healthcare workers and pregnant women, highlighting the need for education and training.

## Contribution

This study provides new insights into hepatitis B prevalence and awareness among healthcare workers and antenatal mothers in Kiribati.

## Key findings

- Hepatitis B prevalence was 23.0%, with higher rates among antenatal mothers (30.6%) than healthcare workers (15.7%).
- Most healthcare workers (98.0%) had heard of hepatitis B, but only 54.9% showed moderate knowledge.
- Antenatal mothers had low awareness (46.9% had heard of hepatitis B) and knowledge (63.3% had low knowledge).

## Abstract

Hepatitis B virus infection is hyperendemic in Kiribati (~15% prevalence rate), with vaccination and antiviral treatment being the mainstays of control. Prevalence, knowledge and attitudes among health-care workers and antenatal mothers are poorly understood.

A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted among health-care workers and antenatal mothers at Tungaru Central Hospital on South Tarawa, Kiribati in 2022. The study included hepatitis B virus serology and a bilingual questionnaire.

Fifty-one health-care workers and 49 women receiving antenatal care participated in the study. Most health-care workers (98.0%) had heard of the hepatitis B virus and most (54.9%) exhibited a moderate level of knowledge. Less than half (46.9%) of the antenatal mothers had heard of the hepatitis B virus and most (63.3%) had a low level of knowledge. Most health-care workers (60.8%) and half of antenatal mothers (49.0%) had satisfactory attitudes towards screening, care-seeking and vaccination, and 93.9% approved of adult catch-up vaccination. Hepatitis B virus prevalence was 23.0% (15.7% of health-care workers, 30.6% of antenatal mothers).

Extensive educational campaigns for antenatal mothers are needed to enhance awareness of the infection, while training for health-care workers on transmission, prevention and treatment is critical for informing and galvanizing action on hepatitis B virus.