RESUMO
ObjectiveTo understand the current status of primary healthcare workers’ knowledge of hepatitis B and their willingness to engage in non-discriminatory behaviors, to explore the factors influencing their willingness, and to provide a basis for health education on hepatitis B for primary healthcare workers in Qinghai Province. MethodsA questionnaire survey was conducted among primary healthcare institutions in eight cities (prefectures) of Qinghai Province using a combination of random sampling and convenience sampling. The questionnaire included demographic information, knowledge related to hepatitis B, and willingness to engage in non-discriminatory behaviors. ResultsA total of 393 subjects were included in the survey. The accurate awareness rate of hepatitis B transmission route among primary healthcare workers in Qinghai Province was 36.89%. Of the respondents, 46.31% were unwilling to live with family members infected with HBV or carriers, and 50.13% were unwilling to dine with friends infected with HBV or carriers. The willingness of primary healthcare workers to engage in non-discriminatory behaviors related to hepatitis B varied by different places of residence, gender, marital status and per capita household income (P<0.05). Regarding different dimensions of HBV-related knowledge, there were significant differences in age, education level, and per capita household income for transmission route (P<0.05). Vaccination showed significant differences based on marital status and per capita family income (P<0.05). There were significant differences in treatment and outcome among different gender, education level, and per capita family income. Anti-discrimination policies varied significantly by place of residence, age, ethnicity, and per capita income. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that primary healthcare workers’ knowledge of hepatitis B transmission route was a significant factor influencing their willingness to engage in non-discriminatory behaviors (OR=0.49, 95%CI:0.29‒0.84). ConclusionIt is essential to continuously strengthen hepatitis B health education for primary healthcare workers in western China to reduce the willingness to engage in non-discriminatory behaviors towards hepatitis B and protect the rights of HBV-infected individuals.