# Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Towards Hepatitis B Infection Among Nursing Students: A Cross‐Sectional Study in Jordan

## TL;DR

Jordanian nursing students have good knowledge of hepatitis B transmission but lack understanding of treatment and prevention practices.

## Contribution

This study identifies knowledge gaps and predictors of better hepatitis B knowledge, attitude, and practices among Jordanian nursing students.

## Key findings

- Most students correctly identified transmission routes but had misconceptions about oral and airborne transmission.
- Only a minority knew treatment criteria and urgency, and few had undergone anti-HBV testing before clinical rotations.
- Higher academic year, prior coursework, and clinical encounters were associated with better KAP scores.

## Abstract

Hepatitis B is a serious, communicable liver disease resulting from hepatitis B virus infection. Healthcare workers (HCWs), including nursing students, are at elevated risk of exposure. We assessed Jordanian nursing students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward HBV and explored predictors of better KAP.

We conducted a cross‐sectional online survey (March–August 2022) among 617 nursing students (years 3–5) at two Jordanian universities using a previously validated questionnaire (43 knowledge, 8 attitude, 3 practice items). Scores ≥ 70% were classified as “good.” Descriptive statistics and χ² tests were used, and multivariable logistic regression examined associations with KAP (α = 0.05).

Overall knowledge was satisfactory, particularly for transmission routes; 73.1% answered diagnostic items correctly. Misconceptions persisted about oral and airborne transmission (≤ 50% correct). Only 8.1% and 18.6% correctly identified treatment criteria and the urgency of treatment, respectively. Most students reported prior HBV vaccination (75.7%) and personal protective equipment use during patient contact (~71%); however, only 45.4% had undergone anti‐HBV testing before clinical rotations. In multivariable analyses, higher academic year, prior HBV‐related coursework, and clinical encounters with HBV patients were associated with better KAP (all p < 0.05).

Jordanian nursing students demonstrated acceptable knowledge of HBV transmission but notable gaps in treatment knowledge, newborn immunization timing, and safe sharps disposal. Curricular enhancements should correct misconceptions about non‐transmission via food or air, reinforce post‐vaccination antibody testing and revaccination of nonresponders, and strengthen training on treatment indications and neonatal prophylaxis. Targeted education—particularly in earlier academic years—may improve HBV‐related KAP among future HCWs.