INFORMATION SEEKING BEHAVIOR ON HEPATITIS B VIRUS, AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GONDAR SPECIALIZED, AND TEACHING HOSPITAL.

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.