title: Mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B: extent of knowledge of physicians and midwives in Eastern region of Ghana.
abstract: Mother -to -Child transmission of hepatitis B infection remains a major public health concern particularly in Africa. Adequate knowledge of physicians and midwives is crucial in averting most of the hepatitis B viral transmissions from mothers to their new-borns. However, there is a dearth of evidence on extent of knowledge of physicians and midwives in Ghana inspite of the increasing incidence of hepatitis B infection in the country. This study therefore assessed the knowledge level of physicians and midwives regarding Mother-to-Child transmission of hepatitis B in the Eastern region of Ghana.
  
  
  
  A Cross sectional survey was conducted between August to November, 2015 using semi-structured self-administered questionnaire. Study participants were recruited from five health facilities and their level of awareness and knowledge about Mother-to-Child transmission of hepatitis B were assessed. The level of statistical significance was set at 0.05 alpha level.
  
  
  
  The findings showed that both physicians and midwives had good knowledge on Mother-to-Child transmission of hepatitis B infection. However, there were some knowledge gaps regarding effective hepatitis B prevention from mother to their newborns such as the use of hepatitis B vaccine and immunoglobulin. Additionally, 49.2 % (n = 62) of the participants had never attended any workshop on Mother-to-Child transmission of hepatitis B since completion of formal training.
  
  
  
  Developing appropriate periodic training programmes on current issues of hepatitis B for physicians and midwives in Eastern region will further enhance their knowledge. It is recommended that, further study examine if the knowledge of the respondents is translated into practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Valley View University, Box AF 595, , Adentan, Accra, Ghana. cadjei@vvu.edu.gh.
authors.forename: Charles Ampong
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Adjei
authors.affiliation: University of Ghana Hospital, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Asamoah
authors.affiliation: Dormaa Presbyterian Hospital, Box 47, Dormaa Ahenkro, Ghana.
authors.forename: Fidelis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Atibila
authors.affiliation: Presbyterian Nurses' Training College, Box 45, Bawku, Upper East Region, Ghana.
authors.forename: Gilbert Nachinab
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Ti-Enkawol
authors.affiliation: University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ansah-Nyarko
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008880:Midwifery / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009035:Mothers; D010820:Physicians / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Ghana; Hepatitis B; Knowledge; Midwives; Mother-to-child; Physicians