Abstract:
Abstract
Introduction: Hepatitis B virus is a major global public health problem and chronic
hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection continues to be a major public health issue worldwide.
HBV Prevalence in Ethiopia is 7%-10%. HISB is the way by which people obtain
information about health, disease, health risk, and health promotion. ISB on health
information has become a major concern of health policymakers HISB can empower
individuals to make informed decisions on screening, preventing, and treating illness.
Objective: To assess HBV information-seeking behavior and its associated factors
among pregnant women at the UoG teaching and Specialized Hospital,2022
Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant
women at the UoG teaching and specialized hospital from May 01 to June 01, 2022. A
total of 423 participants were selected using a systematic random sampling method. A
structured questionnaire was created in kobotoolbox and collected by kobocollect. The
data was collected through interview-administered. Then export into SPSS version 20
for analysis. Descriptive statistics, bi-variable, and multivariable logistic regression
analyses were done to identify factors associated on HBV ISB.
Results: The proportion of ISB on HBV in the last 9 months among pregnant women
was 40.5% (CI=35.7, 45.6). Education(diploma and above) [AOR=3.3, 95% CI (1.31,
8.16)], more than one ANC visit [AOR=5.99, 95% CI (3.20, 12.31)], smartphone
ownership [AOR= 4.1, 95%CI (1.35, 12.31)], internet access [AOR= 5.1, 95%CI (1.35,
15.60)], perceived susceptibility [AOR= 2.7, 95%CI (1.38, 5.31)], perceived severity
[AOR=3.7, 95%CI (2.06, 6.55)], and self-efficacy [AOR=1.9, 95%CI (1.03, 3.73)] were
factors influencing information seeking on HBV.
Conclusion and Recommendation: The overall proportion of ISB on HBV among
pregnant women was low. Education (diploma and above), smartphone ownership,
internet access, self-efficacy, perceived susceptibility, and perceived severity were
significantly associated with information-seeking on HBV. Create women's awareness
about HBV severity and their venerability and increasing their ANC visits, self-efficacy,
internet access, and women's education can improve information seeking about HBV.
Keywords: ISB, HBV, pregnant women, UoG specialized, and teaching hospital.
