Education and Counseling of Pregnant Patients with ChronicHepatitis B: Perspectives from Obstetricians and PerinatalNurses in Santa Clara County, California

Abstract

<strong>Background:</strong> This study aimed to better understand the barriers to perinatal hepatitis B prevention and toidentify the reasons for poor hepatitis B knowledge and delivery of education to hepatitis B surface-antigenpositivepregnant women among healthcare providers in Santa Clara County, California. Materials and <br /><strong>Methods</strong>:Qualitative interviews were conducted with 16 obstetricians and 17 perinatal nurses in Santa Clara County,California, which has one of the largest populations in the United States at high risk for perinatal hepatitisB transmission. <br /><strong>Results</strong>: Most providers displayed a lack of self-efficacy attributed to insufficient hepatitis Btraining and education. They felt discouraged from counseling and educating their patients because of a lackof resources and discouraging patient attitudes such as stigma and apathy. Providers called for institutionalchanges from the government, hospitals, and nonprofit organizations to improve care for patients with chronichepatitis B. <br /><strong>Conclusions</strong>: Early and continuing provider training, increased public awareness, and development ofcomprehensive resources and new programs may contribute to reducing the barriers for health care professionalsto provide counseling and education to pregnant patients with chronic hepatitis B infection.