HEPATITIS B VIRUS INFECTION, A STUDY AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN AT PRAMPRAM POLYCLINIC

Abstract

According to the World Health Organization (2012), hepatitis B is the world’s most common liver infection, which is caused by a DNA-virus, the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The virus is highly contagious, 50 -100 times more infectious than human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The purpose of the study was to ascertain the knowledge and attitude of Hepatitis B infection among pregnant women at Prampram Polyclinic. The study sought to achieve two specific objectives: to ascertain knowledge on hepatitis B virus infection and to find examine the attitude of pregnant women towards hepatitis B virus infection. Quantitative descriptive research design was adopted for the study. The researcher employed a simple random technique to administer questionnaires to 100 respondents for the study. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24 supported and Microsoft excel. The results indicated that, the pregnant women who participated in the study had good knowledge of what Hepatitis B is, its predisposing factors and preventive practices. The pregnant women also had positive attitude towards the infection and also show willingness to know more about it.