Low levels of knowledge and preventive practices regarding vertical hepatitis B transmission among perinatal nurses.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate current levels of hepatitis-B-related knowledge and clinical practice among perinatal nurses.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Santa Clara County, California, home to one of the largest U.S. populations at risk of perinatal hepatitis B transmission.


METHODS
Perinatal nurses (N = 518) from eight birthing hospitals.


METHODS
In 2008-2010, nurses completed a baseline survey evaluating existing hepatitis-B-related knowledge and preventive clinical practices, participated in an educational seminar, received instructional materials about hepatitis B, and completed a follow-up knowledge survey.


RESULTS
Eighty percent of perinatal nurses had provided health care to a pregnant woman with chronic hepatitis B, but only 51% routinely provided patients with educational information about hepatitis B. While 75% routinely informed patients about effective methods to prevent mother-to-child transmission, only a small minority (17-34%) educated infected women about standard recommendations for protecting themselves and household members. One fourth or fewer nurses correctly answered most questions about hepatitis B prevalence, risks, and symptoms. After the educational seminar, knowledge increased statistically significantly.


CONCLUSIONS
Existing knowledge about hepatitis B is limited, and nationally recommended preventive clinical practices are commonly overlooked by perinatal nurses. This lack of knowledge and preventive care represents a noteworthy gap and an opportunity for targeted training and education to improve perinatal hepatitis B prevention and medical management of infected mothers.
Department of Surgery, Stanford Hospital and Clinics, Stanford, CA, USA.
Stephanie D
SD
Chao
Chrissy M
CM
Cheung
Elizabeth J
EJ
Yang
Samuel K S
SK
So
Ellen T
ET
Chang
D000328:Adult; D002140:California; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000151:congenital / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017283:Neonatal Nursing / Q000193:education*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D057184:Practice Patterns, Nurses'; D011247:Pregnancy