Abstract
Little is known about blood-borne infection awareness and knowledge among obstetric populations and health care providers in Afghanistan. HIV and hepatitis B awareness and knowledge are described among 4452 intrapartum patients completing an interviewer-administered questionnaire and whole-blood rapid testing and 123 obstetric care providers completing a questionnaire between June 2006 and September 2006. Participants were enrolled from three Kabul public maternity hospitals. Most participants were aware of HIV (50.8% of patients and 95.9% of providers) and hepatitis (72.1% of patients and 91.1% of providers). Correct transmission knowledge (defined as naming three correct routes and no incorrect routes) was lower for both groups (HIV: 19.4% for patients and 59.7% for providers; hepatitis B: 1.90% for patients and 33.9% for providers). Correct HIV transmission knowledge among providers was independently associated with level of education (AOR=1.75, 95% CI: 1.20-2.55). While HIV and hepatitis B awareness is common, correct and comprehensive knowledge is not. Continuing education for providers and health communications strategies should address identified knowledge gaps.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 109-117 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | AIDS Care - Psychological and Socio-Medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV |
Volume | 21 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 2009 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Afghanistan
- Antenatal population
- Comprehensive HIV knowledge
- Hepatitis B
- Provider knowledge
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Health(social science)
- Social Psychology
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health