TY - JOUR
T1 - Intentions for the prevention of hepatitis B and C among healthcare workers in a tertiary facility in Ghana
AU - Cofie, Yvonne Naa Duaba
AU - Senoo-Dogbey, Vivian Efua
AU - Kennedy, Brightson Tettey Coffie
AU - Tetteh, Moses Drah
AU - Mensah, Michael Matey
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 The Author(s)
PY - 2025/3
Y1 - 2025/3
N2 - Objectives: Hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV, respectively) infections pose a significant occupational hazard to healthcare workers (HCWs) globally, with increased risk due to exposure to blood and body fluids. In Sub-Saharan Africa, including Ghana, the prevalence of these infections among HCWs remains high, despite existing prevention measures. Understanding the factors influencing HCWs’ preventive behaviors is crucial for developing effective interventions to reduce transmission risks in healthcare settings. This study aimed to assess HBV and HCV prevention intentions and related factors among HCWs at a tertiary hospital in Ghana. Methods: This cross-sectional, facility-based study was conducted using a quantitative approach. Two hundred HCWs were selected using stratified random sampling. The Theory of Planned Behavior was used as a conceptual framework to determine the behavioral intentions of HCWs toward the prevention of hepatitis B and C. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression. Cronbach's alpha was used to assess the internal consistency of the scales. Results: Attitudes toward prevention were generally poor (M = 1.56 ± 0.56) and did not significantly influence preventive behaviors (β = 0.056, P = 0.427). Subjective norms showed a moderate positive influence (M = 3.14 ± 0.64, β = 0.208, P = 0.003). Self-efficacy emerged as the strongest predictor of preventive behaviors (M = 3.44 ± 0.59, β = 0.566, P <0.001), followed by behavioral intentions (M = 3.55 ± 0.63, β = 0.321, P <0.001). Conclusions: Interventions aimed at enhancing self-efficacy and leveraging subjective norms may be most effective in improving HBV and HCV preventive behaviors among HCWs. These findings provide valuable insights for the development of targeted prevention strategies in healthcare settings, particularly in the Ghanaian context.
AB - Objectives: Hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV, respectively) infections pose a significant occupational hazard to healthcare workers (HCWs) globally, with increased risk due to exposure to blood and body fluids. In Sub-Saharan Africa, including Ghana, the prevalence of these infections among HCWs remains high, despite existing prevention measures. Understanding the factors influencing HCWs’ preventive behaviors is crucial for developing effective interventions to reduce transmission risks in healthcare settings. This study aimed to assess HBV and HCV prevention intentions and related factors among HCWs at a tertiary hospital in Ghana. Methods: This cross-sectional, facility-based study was conducted using a quantitative approach. Two hundred HCWs were selected using stratified random sampling. The Theory of Planned Behavior was used as a conceptual framework to determine the behavioral intentions of HCWs toward the prevention of hepatitis B and C. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression. Cronbach's alpha was used to assess the internal consistency of the scales. Results: Attitudes toward prevention were generally poor (M = 1.56 ± 0.56) and did not significantly influence preventive behaviors (β = 0.056, P = 0.427). Subjective norms showed a moderate positive influence (M = 3.14 ± 0.64, β = 0.208, P = 0.003). Self-efficacy emerged as the strongest predictor of preventive behaviors (M = 3.44 ± 0.59, β = 0.566, P <0.001), followed by behavioral intentions (M = 3.55 ± 0.63, β = 0.321, P <0.001). Conclusions: Interventions aimed at enhancing self-efficacy and leveraging subjective norms may be most effective in improving HBV and HCV preventive behaviors among HCWs. These findings provide valuable insights for the development of targeted prevention strategies in healthcare settings, particularly in the Ghanaian context.
KW - Attitudes
KW - Healthcare workers
KW - Hepatitis B and C
KW - Preventive behavior
KW - Self-efficacy
KW - Subjective norms
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85217742385&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.ijregi.2025.100590
DO - 10.1016/j.ijregi.2025.100590
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85217742385
SN - 2772-7076
VL - 14
JO - IJID Regions
JF - IJID Regions
M1 - 100590
ER -
