Attitude, Practice and Associated Factors Towards Patients With Hepatitis B and C Viruses Among Nurses Working in Governmental Hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2019. 

Abstract

Background: nurses spend much time caring for patients with different diagnosis some of which are potentially infectious. Infectiousness of some diseases may affect nurse’s behavior to care for patients equally and effectively. Hepatitis B and C are infectious global treats responsible for 96% of hepatitis related mortality. Hence, this study aimed to assess attitude, practice and associated factors towards patients with hepatitis B and C viruses among nurses working in governmental hospitals in Addis Ababa.Methods: Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted in public hospitals in Addis Ababa Ethiopia from April 01 to 30, 2019. A total of 396 nurses were selected using simple random sampling technique. Data was collected using a pretested, validated self-administered questionnaire. Epi info version 7.2 and SPSS version 24 were used for data entry and analysis respectively. Binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to characterize the association between dependent and independent variables. Results: Among 383 respondents 45.6% and 35.8% reported to have positive attitude and good practice respectively. Receiving training on infection prevention and getting vaccinated against hepatitis B are significantly associated with nurse’s attitude. Nurses who served for more than ten years and those vaccinated against hepatitis B are also found to have good practice.Conclusion: The overall level of nurse’s attitude and practice towards patients with hepatitis B and C viruses is significantly low. Therefor nurses need to get training on infection prevention and hepatitis B vaccine for free. Proper supply of personal protective equipment should also be assured.