Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in sub-Saharan Africa: no room for complacency

Matthews, Philippa C.; Kramvis, Anna

doi:10.20517/2394-5079.2022.11

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

References 14 publications

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“…Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection is a public health problem especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the World Health Organization (WHO) targets for the eradication of Hepatitis B as a public health problem by 2030, death attributable to Viral Hepatitis has continued to increase over the past decades with sub-Saharan Africa accounting for 20-30% of persons living with Hepatitis B Infection [1]. Hepatitis B virus is a common transfusion transmitted infection and among the most frequent complications in individuals with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) due to their life-long dependent on transfusion therapy and uncertainties in donor blood testing procedures [2,3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge and Determinants of Hepatitis B Virus Testing and Vaccination Status among Sickle cell Disease Patients

Ogbuabor

Arji

Ngwu

2022

IJPR

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Background: Sickle cell anemia patients are a cohort of at-risk individuals for Hepatitis B virus infection due to their life-long dependency on transfusion therapy. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations stipulates testing and vaccination for at-risk individuals. Objective: The objectives of the present study are to assess the level of knowledge of sickle cell disease patients to HBV infection, identify their HBV vaccination status and to assess the barrier that prevents patients from being tested and vaccinated for HBV infection. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. The subjects comprised of 120 sickle cell disease patients who were recruited through consecutive sampling using pretested, semi-structured, self-administered questionnaires and data was analyzed with statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) for Microsoft Window Version 23. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 24 +6 years. About 57.5% of the respondents are aware of Hepatitis B virus infection but only 15% had good knowledge of the disease. About 80.8% of the respondents have not been tested for Hepatitis B infection while 70% has not been vaccinated. The cost of testing for HBV infection and vaccination was identified as a major factor that prevented many of the patients from identifying their HBV status as well as getting vaccinated as about 80% of the respondents have not been tested due to high cost of testing while 84.2% have not been vaccinated due to high cost of the vaccine. Conclusion: There should be universal health education to sickle cell anemia patients on the need for Hepatitis B virus infection test and vaccination as well as a health insurance scheme that will cover the cost of Hepatitis B virus testing and vaccination for patients.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%