@inproceedings{niangoran_physicians_2020, address = {online}, title = {Physicians' knowledge of {Hepatitis} {B} and {C} in {Côte} d'{Ivoire}}, copyright = {All rights reserved}, url = {http://interestworkshop.org/}, abstract = {Background: Viral hepatitis is a major public health problem in Côte d'Ivoire, with a prevalence of 8\% to 10\% for hepatitis B and 1\% for hepatitis C. Research indicates that there is a lack of awareness of hepatitis in the general population; however, there remains little evidence concerning physician’s knowledge of the virus. We, thus, investigate physician’s knowledge on viral hepatitis B and C, which can be the first condition for screening and treatment. Materials and methods: In 2018, we conducted a cross-sectional Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) telephone survey on a random sample of physicians working in health facilities in Côte d'Ivoire. Data collected included an assessment of knowledge about viral hepatitis B and C and their personal attitudes towards hepatitis screening and vaccination. We created a knowledge score based on 14 variables (screening test variables, HBV viral load variables, treatment indications variables, treatment availability and associated costs variables) and identified the associated factors using a multivariate Poisson model. Results: Among the 542 physicians contacted, 316 physicians participated in the survey (58\%). The vast majority of doctors spontaneously cited cirrhosis (79\%) and liver cancer (77\%) as the main complications of viral hepatitis. Screening modalities were also well known. Knowledge of modes of transmission and prevention were uneven : blood transmission 88\%, sexual 78\%, saliva 27\%, during pregnancy or childbirth 20\%. Physicians' knowledge of the prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C in the population remains very limited (32\% indicates between 5\% and 15\% for HBV while 33\% indicates less than 5\% for HCV) In terms of treatment, less than half knew the conditions for initiating hepatitis B treatment (42\%) or the existence of curative treatment for hepatitis C (34\%). Similarly, few knew the cost of associated treatments or tests (23\%), such as HBV viral load (17\%). A higher knowledge score was associated with having a close relative infected by viral hepatitis (RR=1.09 [1.00 – 1.19], p=0.052), receiving training on viral hepatitis (RR=1.16 [1.04 – 1.29], p=0,008) and testing for any viral hepatitis (RR=1.16 [1.04 – 1.29], p=0.008). Conclusion: The fight against viral hepatitis requires the involvement of physicians. Findings suggest that many physicians are in need of ongoing training on prevention and treatment of viral hepatitis.}, publisher = {poster}, author = {Niangoran, Serge and Inghels, Maxime and Kouassi, Arsène Kra and Bekelynck, Anne and Carillon, Séverine and Sika, Lazare and Danel, Christine and Koné, Mariatou and Larmarange, Joseph}, month = oct, year = {2020}, }