Syrian Women Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Hepatitis B Prevention

BACKGROUND: Globally, mother-to-child transmission during childbirth is the most prevalent transmission method of hepatitis B (HBV). However, early immunization following birth is a safe and effective method of preventing this disease. This study evaluates Syrian mothers’ and pregnant females’ knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding HBV prevention and immunization. METHODS: This online cross-sectional study was performed in Syria between 2 October and 12 November. The inclusion criteria for this study were Syrian pregnant women who visited obstetrics and gynaecologist clinics for prenatal care, delivery, and postpartum checkups. The survey was adapted from a previous study, which contains 33 items divided into three sections. Data were analyzed using descriptive and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: This study enrolled 419 participants with a mean age of (28.4±5.9). More than half of the participants agreed that HBV could be transmitted from mother to her child at birth, and about two-thirds of them agreed that HBV vaccination is necessary for their infant (87.4%). Among participants with a university education degree, 35.7% revealed good knowledge, while only 12.3% of respondents with a primary school education level have good knowledge. More than half of housewife participants have shown positive attitudes (52.4%). Females with academic careers have a higher probability of good knowledge and positive attitudes than housewife women (OR = 107.09, P value<0.05) and (OR = 16.31, P value<0.05), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Syrian women have a moderate knowledge level about HBV prevention, with gaps in knowledge and attitudes among low-educated women. Performing local awareness campaigns about HBV and its vaccination for women can increase their knowledge and attitudes about this topic. Obstetric care providers should provide more information for pregnant females about HBV prevention for their children which may limit the occurrence of this phenomenon. KEY MESSAGES: • Syrian women have moderate knowledge of HBV prevention for their children, while lower-educated women have gaps in knowledge and attitudes. • Local awareness campaigns about HBV and its vaccination for women can improve their knowledge and attitudes.