Knowledge, perception and expectation of management of hepatitis B infection among pregnant hepatitis B carriers in Hong Kong

Abstract

Lack of awareness regarding the risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and the interventions available during pregnancy among the pregnant carriers may influence their willingness and adherence to the management. This study assessed the knowledge, perception and expectation of HBV infection among pregnant HBV carriers in Hong Kong. A prospective multicentre cross-sectional questionnaire study was carried out between August 2019 and April 2021. The general knowledge on HBV, perception and expectation, and interventions to reduce vertical transmission were questioned.Obtaining ≥70% correct answers was defined as having sufficient knowledge. 422 (82.7%) were known carriers. Only 18.4% of women had sufficient overall knowledge.The correct answer rates and percentage of sufficient knowledge were statistically lower for HBV knowledge specific to pregnancy compared with general knowledge (42.5% vs. 58.5%, p < 0.001; 8.8% vs. 30.2%, p < 0.001 respectively). Multiple logistic regression showed higher education and receiving HBV medical care within a year prior to pregnancy were associated with sufficient overall (OR 3.46; and OR 2.76; 95% CI 1.62-4.7, p < 0.001), and general knowledge (OR 2.86; 95% CI 1.81-4.51 and OR 2.14; 95% CI 1.33-3.44, p < 0.05). 298 (58.4%), 357 (70.0%) and 150 (29.4%) women believed they should receive care by obstetrician, hepatologist or general practitioner respectively. 46.9% did not want to initiate antiviral treatment due to the cost, perceived teratogenicity and maternal side effects. The knowledge of HBV among pregnant carriers in Hong Kong was poor despite the majority of them being aware of their carrier status prior to the pregnancy.

A cross-sectional survey on the rate of awareness of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission among hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive pregnant women

“…Indeed, only 34.75% of the HBsAg-positive pregnant women were aware that the HBV can be transmitted through the poor disinfection of tattoos, eyebrows and ear piercings, acupuncture, and unprotected sexual intercourse. A lack of knowledge and awareness about the HBV transmission route is consistent with the findings of previous studies in China and other HBV-endemic countries (13,(16)(17)(18)(19).…”

Phenotypes of peripheral CD4+ T helper cell subsets in pregnant women with HBeAg-negative chronic asymptomatic HBV carriers

“…Chronic asymptomatic HBV carriers (ASCs) with HBeAg-negative are predominant among chronic ASCs, including women of childbearing age, and can also develop a potential risk of high morbidity due to HBV-related fatal liver diseases, mostly hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis ( Kumar et al., 2009 ; Organization, 2016 ; Cui et al., 2022 ; Lian et al., 2022 ; Wang and Chen, 2022 ). Previous reports indicated that the levels of serum HBV-DNA, viral antigens (HBsAg, HBeAg) and ALT were mostly normal or stable in chronic ASCs with/without HBeAg-negative status, including pregnancy ( Cheung et al., 2021 ; Hsu et al., 2022 ; Wang et al., 2022 ). Our results showed that low HBV-DNA and ALT levels were not significantly different among HC, PW, and PW with HBeAg-negative ASCs.…”

Knowledge about hepatitis B and influencing factors among the residents in Qingdao: a cross-sectional study

“…Thus, the awareness level of hepatitis B among residents must be determined when formulating relevant policies. In China, recent studies focused on pregnant women [7], medical workers [8], migrant workers [9], and other specific populations. There is lack of research among the general community residents, and the hepatitis B awareness level among Qingdao residents is still unknown.…”