Assessment of the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the care staff facing the risk of viral hepatitis b contamination at the IME / Kimpese reference general hospital

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B is a major public health problem in many parts of world due to due to its prevalence, complications and burden. Democratic Republic of Congo is among of countries more concerned

Objective: to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices of health-care workers in relation to the infectious risks of the hepatitis B viruse,

Methods: Cross- sectional descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at IME/Kimpese. It consisted to evaluate knowledge, practices and attitudes of health care workers to the risk of viral hepatitis B at Kimpese. Results: Ninety persons were interviewed including 44 men (49.4%) and 47 women (51.6%) with a sex ratio of 1.1. The average age was 30.2 ± 7.1 years old. Most of them (94.5%) recognized a virus as a pathogen of hepatitis B and 89% were aware that vaccination remained the most effective means of prevention but none of them was vaccinated against hepatitis B. More than half of staff (53.7%, p=0.03) continue to recap needles after use. Fifty four point nine percent (54.9%) had at least one HBV contamination exposure accident. The most common mechanisms of occurrence of blood were pitting (40.7), followed by mucosal splashes (35.2%), wound contact (27.5%) and cutoff (20.9%)

Conclusion: This study revealed an average level of knowledge of the health care staff of IME/KIIMPESE about hepatitis B.