Conceptual framework of factors influencing Hepatitis B preventive awareness and behaviors among Saudi women
Abstract
Introduction: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection still poses an important public health issue in Saudi Arabia, despite the availability of effective vaccines and national prevention programs. It is particularly important among women, who play a central role in family health and face a risk of transmitting the infection to their infants during pregnancy and childbirth. Objectives: This study intends to report the levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards HBV prevalence among non-pregnant Saudi women in Bisha province and thus provide context-specific evidence that can inform a targeted preventive actions framework. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Bisha province, Saudi Arabia, from January 2025 to February 2026 among 391 non-pregnant Saudi women aged ≥18 years or older. Data were collected via a structured Arabic questionnaire. We categorized the good knowledge, positive attitude, and good practice as scores ≥75%, ≥80%, and ≥70%, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA BE, 2025. We employed Chi-square and logistic regression to examine the associations. Results: The mean±SD scores of knowledge, attitude, and practice were 15.2±3.4, 5.9±1.6, and 6.7±2.1, respectively. Overall, good knowledge was reported by 65.5%, positive attitude by 69.3%, and good preventive practice by 46.8%. There were significant correlations between better KAP and higher education, working as health/education professionals, being richer (income), already vaccinated against HBV, and having taken the respective tests for HBV (p<0.05). Only 40.9% were fully vaccinated; ever-screening and HBV health education participants accounted for 45.5% and 31.7%, respectively. In multivariable analysis; good knowledge (adjusted odds ratio 2.12, 95% confidence interval 1.40–3.22), positive attitude (AOR=2.51, 95% CI: 1.64–3.85), vaccination (AOR=3.02, 95% CI: 1.88–4.84) and exposure to previoushealth education session (AOR=1.96, 95% CI: 1.23–3.13) were identified as a predictors of good practice. Conclusion: Awareness and attitudes toward HBV are generally positive among women in Bisha; however, the preventive practices are substandard. This knowledge–practice gap remains large and is influenced by education, occupation, income, and health service engagement. Tailored interventions integrating education, accessible vaccination, screening, and community-based outreach are needed to improve HBV prevention and align with national elimination goals.
Keywords
Citation Information
@article{elhadimiskeen2026,
title={Conceptual framework of factors influencing Hepatitis B preventive awareness and behaviors among Saudi women},
author={Elhadi Miskeen and Shahad Abdullah Mohammed Alshahrani and Abdullah Alhalafi and Bayan Mathaf saeed Aloqaybi and Afnan Hezam Alaklabi and Atheer Abdullah Al-Shahrani and Afnan Meshal H Alotaibi and Norah Ali M Albishi and Sara Saeed Alaklabi and Atheer Hameed Alqarni and Suaad Elnour and Mashael Obaid F Alssadi and Azza Elzein and Mutasim E. Ibrahim and Laila Yahya Alhubaishi},
journal={BMC Primary Care},
year={2026},
doi={https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9108647/v1}
}
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