Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Village Midwives Regarding Hepatitis B Virus in Khartoum State, Sudan- 2014

Background: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection is a serious health problem and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Objective: To determine the level of knowledge, attitude and practice of village midwives regarding Hepatitis B Virus in Khartoum state, Sudan, 2014. Method: This was an observational study. A total of 335 village midwives were interviewed. Variables of knowledge were computed and compiled by SPSS version 20. The 25th percentile was used as a cut-off point to identify adequate and inadequate knowledge, positive attitude from negative ones and knowledge about positive practice from negative ones. Chi Square test and multivariate analysis were carried to identify the association of age, education and working duration. Result: Most of village midwives 207 (61.8%) were in the age group of 35–50 years, and 207 (61.80%) of total midwives were married. Illiterate were 91 (27.2%) and 268 (80.0%) had working duration more than 10 years. Only 178 (53.1%) of village midwives had heard about Hepatitis B virus, out of whom 142 (79.8%) were have ever been vaccinated for Hepatitis B virus. Village midwives with adequate general knowledge accounted for 55 (30.9%), 123 (69.1%) were having positive attitude and 136 (76.4%) had knowledge about positive practices. The mean scores showed significant association between age, education and the general knowledge, attitude and knowledge of positive practices regarding Hepatitis B virus among village midwives. Conclusion: Half of the village midwives heard about Hepatitis B virus. Three quarters of those midwives have never been vaccinated for Hepatitis B virus. One third of village midwives were having adequate level of general knowledge, two thirds had positive attitude and three quarters were having adequate knowledge about positive practices. Age and education were significantly related factors. Capacity building of village midwives regarding Hepatitis B virus was recommended.