Viral hepatitis is a disease burden in Africa and globally. It can be caused by RNA or DNA virus, which is hepatotropic and can pose a financial burden on the individual, their family, and society. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a DNA virus that can be present in blood and body fluids, including saliva, semen, and vaginal secretion. It is par-enterally transmitted with horizontal and vertical transmission. The risk of infection and transmission of hepatitis B virus infection could be a result of occupational exposure, use of unsterilized blades for traditional and cultural practices in Africa like tribal marks, level of awareness on prevention and adherence to standard or universal precautions. The risk of infection and transmission of hepatitis B virus infection also includes individual sexual history, the availability and access to vaccines, the level of occupational hazards exposure,  the level of vaccine acceptance and the vaccination status of individuals. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a single-stranded RNA virus that is transmitted through the faeco-oral route by consumption of contaminated food and water. Low socio-economic status, poor environmental sanitation, poor water supply, poor sewage disposal facilities, level of awareness on prevention, poor social condition and decreased personal hygiene are associated factors for the risk of hepatitis E virus infection. Knowledge and community-based awareness and practice of World Health Organization (WHO) preventive practices and treatments could reduce the burden of hepatitis B and E virus infections. Mediscope 2023;10(2): 89-92

Vaccination is often considered a cost-effective strategy for the prevention and control of most infectious diseases or vaccine-preventable diseases. Poverty, ignorance, cultural belief and practices, locality of residence, level of awareness on vaccine safety and lack of access to health care facilities are among the obstacles to vaccination leading to low vaccine coverage. Low vaccine coverage among young children across remote and rural areas, slums and riverine areas is not a reflection of the health and social-related Sustainable Development Goals. Poor handling of vaccines has been identified as one of the reasons for the reduction in vaccine effectiveness at the time of administration. Cold chain is the system of transporting, storing and distributing vaccines in a viable state at the recommended temperature from the point of manufacture to the point of use. Some factors contributing to the weakness of the cold chain are delays during transportation, quality of refrigerators, method of storage, period of storage at the health facility, improper use of refrigerators, equipment breakage, lack of trained personnel capable of managing the cold chain, unreliable power sources and limited resources (material, financial, and human). Mediscope 2023;10(1): 38-41

ABSTRACT Access to health care includes the availability, accessibility, awareness, accommodation or adequacy, affordability, and acceptability of health services. Scarce health facilities, long distances to health facilities, shortages of medicine, level of poverty, shortages of doctors, dentists, and other health professionals, level of education and knowledge among populace  on orthodox treatment practices are factors that affects access to health care. Level of awareness among the populace of preventive and curative services offered by health facilities, absence of health insurance, and inability to afford the cost of health services are obstacles limiting rural people from recognizing and achieving the health and social related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), that requires that access to good quality healthcare is improved significantly in rural areas and under-served population. Health inequalities exist both between and within developed and developing countries, both between and within urban, semi-urban and rural areas. Health inequalities are determined by various socioeconomic factors: such as age, sex, race, ethnicity, education, income, social status, unemployment and place of residence of the population. The factors that give rise to, and worsen, inequalities in health are multidimensional. Interventions in addressing health inequalities would involve economic policies, strategic health planning, health education on avoidable risk factors for poor health, use of telemedicine/tele dentistry, and reduction of unmet healthcare needs among various population groups. Other interventions are poverty eradication interventions especially in remote and rural areas, healthcare financing through budgetary allocation, and improving access to health service through universal health coverage, with an organized and efficient health system.