Abstract

Hepatitis B is the inflammation of the hepatocytes of the liver, caused by a virus, medication or toxic agent. It is mostly transmitted from mother to infant. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection may go undetected, unawareness of the ongoing infection delay the diagnosis of HBV, related liver disease and favor the spread of the Virus. The main aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of the inhabitant of Idenau on HBV infection. A total of 100 self-administered structural questionnaires were given to the participant to gather their socio-demographic data and to ask questions related to knowledge, attitude and practices towards HBV infection. Among the participant 38% were male and 62% female, 79% have heard about HBV and 62% of the participant know that HBV can infect anybody. 65 % of the participant have been screened for HBV but 65 % of the participant have not yet been vaccinated against the virus. It was concluded that the Idenau inhabitants have a fair knowledge, attitude and practice toward HBV.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

Hepatitis B virus primarily interferes with the function of the liver by replicating in the liver cells (hepatocytes) (Tong et al., 2007). The virion bind to the host cells and finally internalized by endocytosis (Coffin et al., 2011).  The most common method of transmission of HBV around the world is from mother to infant and this infection might occur during the intrauterine or perinatal period (Han et al.,2011).

Hepatitis B is one of the most common infectious disease globally. It has been estimated that there are 380 million chronic HBV carriers worldwide and 2 million deaths occurs annually (Teo and Lok, 2009). The prevalence of chronic HBV varies geographically from high (>8%), intermediate (2-7%) to low (<2%) prevalence. There are about 65 million chronic carriers of HBV in Africa (Kramvis, 2007), with 25% mortality risk. In sub Saharan Africa, carrier range rate range from 9-20%. Many studies have suggested that HBV transmission in Africa occurs predominantly in childhood, by the horizontal rather than the perinatal route. A study carried out in Cameroon to assess coinfection between hepatitis B and/or C in some HIV positive populations wherein presence of HBsAg and anti-HCV was investigated revealed that seroprevalence rates were 23.7% in females and 7.2% in males (Noubiap et al., 2015). A study conducted by Firmin et al ., (2013 ) obtained revealed that the overall prevalence stood at 7.1%, with a 9.9% prevalence ratio in men, three times higher than that in women (3.4%) from the inhabitants of Douala and Yaounde. A study conducted by Besong et al., 2013 among pregnant women in Buea   revealed that only 16% of the study population were knowledgeable about HBV and 80% knew about its mode of transmission.

Evidence suggests that health-related behaviors are affected by knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) (Klett-tammen, 2016). KAP (Knowledge, attitude and practice) surveys have been widely implemented in public health research and have been reported to be the most commonly used study tools in health-seeking behavior research (Haq et al., 2013). KAP studies have been used to collect information on what the participants know, believe and do in relation to a particular   topic (WHO, 2008). The knowledge refers to the understanding of any given topic (Kaliyaperumal, 2004). Attitude refers to their feelings towards this subject, preconceived ideas that they may have towards it, intention to a particular behavior and inclination to react in a certain way to a certain situation (Ahmad et al., 2016). Practice refers to the ways in which they do and demonstrate their knowledge and attitude through their actions (Badran, 1995).

This study investigated the knowledge, attitude and practice of the inhabitants of Idenau on Hepatitis B Virus infection.

1.2 Statement of the problem

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infections may go undetected. Unawareness of an ongoing infections delays the diagnosis of HBV-related liver disease and favors the spread of the virus (Vazquez-Martinez et al., 2003). Many people especially coming from outskirts area and rural areas are unaware about many threatening infections, as a result they are devoid of the basic prevention strategies to save themselves and their family members from these infections. The scarcity of available scientific literature on KAP towards Hepatitis B virus infection in the outskirt of Idenau, indicates the need   for more comprehensive data related to knowledge and awareness among inhabitants of Idenau in order to inform national program and policies.

1.3 Research Questions

This research has the following research questions;

1. Do the inhabitants of Idenau have a good knowledge about Hepatitis B virus infection?
2. Do the inhabitants of Idenau have a good attitude toward Hepatitis B virus infection?
3. Do the inhabitants of Idenau have a good practice Regarding Hepatitis B infection?

1.4   Objectives

1.4.1   General objective

The general objective of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of inhabitants of Idenau on HBV infection.

1.4.2 Specific objectives

1. To determine the knowledge of the inhabitants of Idenau on HBV infection
2. To assess the attitude of the inhabitant of Idenau on HBV infection
3. To assess the practices of the inhabitant of Idenau toward HBV infection

1.5 Significance of the study

The significance of this study is that at the end, Idenau inhabitants will better understand HBV. This study will also help them to know the right attitude and good practice they should have towards HBV infection. There have also been few studies reporting the assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice of HBV infection in Cameroon. Therefore, a need to provide that information to the public and policy makers in the country