[In France, prevention of vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus infection must be improved. A questionnaire survey in Picardie]

Introduction: We aimed to study the conditions of practice and professionals’ experiences for vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus infection.
Material and methods: We sent a questionnaire survey to obstetricians and midwifes of all the 18 maternity clinics of the region (22,000 deliveries per year), both public and private. We also collected the protocols.
Results: Mean response rate was 66% for obstetricians and 79% for midwifes. When the mother is vaccinated against hepatitis B virus, 82% of obstetricians and 80% of midwifes performed the HBsAg screening. When the HBsAg screening is not available at delivery, the emergency dosage is performed by 86% of obstetricians et 91% of midwifes. Eight out of nine protocols were not in agreement with the guidelines and were poorly convenient; only one was pertinent. Discharges instructions for follow-up must be improved.
Conclusion: Improvement programs must be implemented in the clinics (teaching sessions and assistance in preparing protocols) on a multidisciplinary basis. A national mobilisation, such as a consensus conference, is needed because even hepatitis B vaccination in France is poorly implemented.