Influence of Socio-Cultural Factors on Hepatitis B Infection in Mombasa County, Kenya
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Date
2023
Authors
Ndunda, Jennifer M.
Kimani, Harun
Orinda, George
Otieno, Syprine
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
IJCMPH
Abstract
Background: The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is responsible for causing a communicable liver disease that can be
prevented through vaccination. Although the HBV vaccine was introduced in Kenya’s expanded immunization
program in 2003, the incidence of HBV remains high in the country, especially among IDUs. Objective was to
investigate the influence of socio-cultural factors on HBV infection in Mombasa County, Kenya.
Methods: The study utilized a cross-sectional analytical design. The study was purposely conducted in Mombasa
County because the area is highly prevalent with drug users and people with hepatitis B. There are eight treatment
centers in the county, 4 public and 4 privates where stratified random sampling was used. The sample size was
proportionately distributed across the selected treatment centers. The study employed a mixed method of data
collection, involved; self-administered questionnaire to the IDU’s, key informant interviews and focused group
discussion with treatment care managers.
Results: The prevalence of hepatitis B was 22%; with male (77.1%) most affected than women (22.9%). Bivariate
analysis show that a history of drug abuse was significantly associated with prevalence of hepatitis B (χ
2=2.485, df=1,
p=0.046).
Conclusions: The prevalence of hepatitis B is on the increase among injecting drug users. Having a history of drug
abuse was a significant predictor to the prevalence of hepatitis B among injecting drug users in this study. Cultural
practices such as piercing and tattooing were observed among study participants were established as a risk factor to
hepatitis B infection among injecting drug users.
Description
Article
Keywords
Hepatitis B, Injecting drug users, Prevalence, Socio-cultural
Citation
Ndunda, J. M., Kimani, H., Orinda, G., & Otieno, S. (2023). Influence of socio-cultural factors on hepatitis B infection in Mombasa County, Kenya. International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health, 10(4), 1322.