Values and preferences
For hepatitis B, awareness and perceived risk vary greatly by region. In many contexts most studied (Asia, Africa), although HBV prevalence is high, awareness, perceived risk, and knowledge of mother-to-child transmission of the virus remain low.
Two studies in China among pregnant women found low knowledge and awareness of HBV modes of transmission, including mother-to-child transmission.Go to footnote 1, Go to footnote 2
In studies among pregnant women in Uganda, Ghana, Ethiopia, and Nigeria, perceived risk was low.Go to footnote 3, Go to footnote 4, Go to footnote 5, Go to footnote 6
- Go back to footnote reference 1
Han Z, Yin Y, Zhang Y, Ehrhardt S, Thio CL et al. Knowledge of and attitudes towards hepatitis B and its transmission from mother to child among pregnant women in Guangdong Province, China. PLoS One. 2017 Jun 2;12(6):e0178671. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0178671.
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Sheng QJ, Wang SJ, Wu YY, Dou XG, Ding Y. Hepatitis B virus serosurvey and awareness of mother-to-child transmission among pregnant women in Shenyang, China: An observational study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2018 Jun;97(22):e10931. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000010931.
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Nankya-Mutyoba, J., Aizire, J., Makumbi, F., Ocama, P. & Kirk, G.D. (2019). Hepatitis B virus perceptions and health seeking behaviors among pregnant women in Uganda: implications for prevention and policy. BMC Health Services Research, 19, 760. doi:10.1186/s12913-019-4516-0.
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Abdulai MA, Baiden F, Adjei G, Owusu-Agyei S. Low level of hepatitis B knowledge and awareness among pregnant women in the Kintampo North Municipality: implications for effective disease control. Ghana Med J. 2016;50(3):157–162. doi:10.4314/gmj.v50i3.7.
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Tochukwu EJ, Onyinye EN, Obinna OE. Assessing the awareness and acceptability of hepatitis B immunoglobulin among pregnant women in Enugu metropolis, Southeast, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study. SAGE Open Med. 2024;12:20503121241257083. doi:10.1177/20503121241257083.
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Belay A, Assefa A, Zeleke FT, Animaw M, Argaw M et al. Knowledge, attitudes, and factors associated with vertical transmission of hepatitis B among pregnant women in Gurage Zone, Ethiopia. Sci Rep. 2025 May 22;15(1):17815. doi:10.1038/s41598-025-94010-4.
