[In France, prevention of vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus infection must be improved. A questionnaire survey in Picardie].
BACKGROUND
We aimed to study the conditions of practice and professionals' experiences for vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus infection.


METHODS
We sent a questionnaire survey to obstetricians and midwifes of all the 18 maternity clinics of the region (22,000 deliveries per year), both public and private. We also collected the protocols.


RESULTS
Mean response rate was 66% for obstetricians and 79% for midwifes. When the mother is vaccinated against hepatitis B virus, 82% of obstetricians and 80% of midwifes performed the HBsAg screening. When the HBsAg screening is not available at delivery, the emergency dosage is performed by 86% of obstetricians et 91% of midwifes. Eight out of nine protocols were not in agreement with the guidelines and were poorly convenient; only one was pertinent. Discharges instructions for follow-up must be improved.


CONCLUSIONS
Improvement programs must be implemented in the clinics (teaching sessions and assistance in preparing protocols) on a multidisciplinary basis. A national mobilisation, such as a consensus conference, is needed because even hepatitis B vaccination in France is poorly implemented.
Braillon
A
A
Service de santé publique, CHU d'Amiens, 1, place Victor-Pauchet, 80054 Amiens cedex 1, France. braillon.alain@chu-amiens.fr
Lerat
A
A
Lansac
J
J
Dubois
G
G
D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines