Knowledge and Attitude Towards Hepatitis B Virus Infection Among Nurses in Banadir Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia

Abstract

Hepatitis B (HBV) causes potentially fatal liver infection and associated significant morbidity and mortality. It is a public health problem that increases the risk of liver and bile duct carcinoma. This study aimed to assess knowledge and attitude regarding HBV infection among nurses working in Benadir hospital Mogadishu, Somalia. Methods: Descriptive hospital-based cross-sectional study design was conducted on nurses working at Benadir Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia. A representative sample of 92 nurses working in Benadir hospital was recruited for this study in 2020, and a structured questionnaire was used to obtain and collect in-depth information on the nurse's knowledge and attitude toward HBV infection. Results: Of the 92 total respondents, the majority, 66 (72%), were females, and 47 (51%) were young and between the age of 21-30 years. Regarding the educational level, about 51 (55.4%) had a bachelor's degree. The study found that most nurses, 76 (82%), had good knowledge about HBV infection and a positive attitude of 78 (85%) towards this infection. Conclusion: The study concluded that most of the nurses working at Benadir hospital had average knowledge regarding hepatitis Virus infection and had a positive attitude regarding it. There was no significant association between levels of knowledge with selected demographic variables in the study. The study encouraged ongoing training for nurses to enhance their knowledge periodically. Also, the study suggests doing the same research but increasing the number of Nurses involved in that study to determine their level of knowledge about HB infection.