Did you know that NSW Health’s Hepatitis B Strategy calls for every pregnant woman to be tested for hepatitis B.
For women diagnosed within antenatal screening, a positive result can be pretty alarming, with issues around
- feeling dirty and contaminated,
- worrying about transmission to baby, and to other family,
- wondering about source of infection (hepatitis B is considered an STI and a diagnosis can raise uncertainty around fidelity within intimate relationships).
In addition, a large proportion of diagnosed women are from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds and not highly health literate or comfortable within the NSW healthcare system and environment.
Hepatitis NSW has developed a pamphlet that aims to help address the needs of women diagnosed within antenatal screening.
It was developed with valuable input from Caroline Homer, Professor of Midwifery, UTS, and Hannah Dahlen, Professor of Midwifery, WSU.
We can provide health workers with an ongoing free supply of Hepatitis B, Mothers and Babies.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us to order your free supply – simply email pharvey@hep.org.au
(The pamphlet will be updated on an annual basis in response to feedback from you, the health workers distributing the resource.)