Hepatitis B prevalence, knowledge and attitudes among health-care workers and antenatal mothers attending a tertiary hospital in South Tarawa, Kiribati: insights from a 2022 cross-sectional study
10.5365/wpsar.2025.16.4.1242
- Author:
Thomas Russell
1
;
Vikash Sharma
2
;
Alice Lee
3
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Tungaru Central Hospital, Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Tarawa, Kiribati
2. School of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Fiji National University, Suva, Fiji
3. Department of Gastroenterology and Liver Services, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Antenatal mothers;
health workers;
hepatitis B;
hepatitis D;
Kiribati;
Pacific Islands
- From:
Western Pacific Surveillance and Response
2025;16(4):33-42
- CountryWHO-WPRO
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective: Hepatitis B virus infection is hyperendemic in Kiribati (~15% prevalence rate), with vaccination and antiviral treatment being the mainstays of control. Prevalence, knowledge and attitudes among health-care workers and antenatal mothers are poorly understood.
Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted among health-care workers and antenatal mothers at Tungaru Central Hospital on South Tarawa, Kiribati in 2022. The study included hepatitis B virus serology and a bilingual questionnaire.
Results: Fifty-one health-care workers and 49 women receiving antenatal care participated in the study. Most health-care workers (98.0%) had heard of the hepatitis B virus and most (54.9%) exhibited a moderate level of knowledge. Less than half (46.9%) of the antenatal mothers had heard of the hepatitis B virus and most (63.3%) had a low level of knowledge. Most health-care workers (60.8%) and half of antenatal mothers (49.0%) had satisfactory attitudes towards screening, care-seeking and vaccination, and 93.9% approved of adult catch-up vaccination. Hepatitis B virus prevalence was 23.0% (15.7% of health-care workers, 30.6% of antenatal mothers).
Discussion: Extensive educational campaigns for antenatal mothers are needed to enhance awareness of the infection, while training for health-care workers on transmission, prevention and treatment is critical for informing and galvanizing action on hepatitis B virus.
- Full text:2026041510071573954wpsar-16-1242 Russell FINAL.v2.pdf
