Hepatitis B control in China: knowledge and practices among village doctors

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• Healthcare Practices

Background:

• Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a significant public health concern globally.
• Effective control programs require understanding local healthcare provider practices and knowledge.
• China's vast rural population necessitates targeted interventions for HBV prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess village doctors' sterilization methods, injection frequency, and hepatitis B vaccination coverage in rural China.
• To evaluate village doctors' knowledge regarding hepatitis B transmission, consequences, and prevention.
• To inform the development of a comprehensive hepatitis B control program.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving a self-administered questionnaire.
• Data collected from head doctors of 260 village health stations in a rural Chinese county.
• Focus on sterilization practices, injection use, vaccination status, and knowledge assessment.

Main Results:

• While 94.2% reported adequate needle sterilization, syringe and acupuncture needle sterilization was often inadequate.
• Injections were prevalent and perceived as profitable by healthcare providers.
• Hepatitis B vaccination coverage among infants was reported at 16.2%; knowledge of sexual transmission prevention was limited.

Conclusions:

• Inadequate sterilization of medical equipment and frequent injections pose risks for hepatitis B transmission.
• Low hepatitis B vaccination rates highlight the need for research into vaccine acceptance.
• Enhanced training for village doctors in treatment and counseling is recommended for HBV control.