Original Research Strengthening community engagement in the fight against hepatitis B in two regions of Cameroon

Solange N.M. Atah, Nadege G. Mafopa, Cindy Lobe, Juliette-Laure N. Ndzie Ondigui, Jude S.Y. Atah, Joseph N. Siewe Fodjo, Patrick Awoumou, Alliance-Laure Otam, Martin N.D. Mokake, Puinta Peyonga, Rosi Garcia Martinez Peñalver, Isabel Fernandez Escobar, Desire Akaba, Felix Assah, Robinson Mbu Enow, Judith N. Torimiro

About the author(s) Solange N.M. Atah, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Nadege G. Mafopa, Department of Molecular Biology, Chantal BIYA International Reference Center for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé, Cameroon
Cindy Lobe, Department of Molecular Biology, Chantal BIYA International Reference Center for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Ngaoundere, Ngaoundere, Cameroon
Juliette-Laure N. Ndzie Ondigui, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé Chantal BIYA International Reference Center for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé, Cameroon
Jude S.Y. Atah, Ayos Health District, Komdombo Medicalised Health Centre, Ayos, Cameroon
Joseph N. Siewe Fodjo, Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé, Cameroon
Patrick Awoumou, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Alliance-Laure Otam, Department of Molecular Biology, Chantal BIYA International Reference Center for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Martin N.D. Mokake, Buea Regional Hospital Annex, Buea, Cameroon
Puinta Peyonga, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Rosi Garcia Martinez Peñalver, Bikop Catholic Health Center, Bikop, Cameroon
Isabel Fernandez Escobar, Bikop Catholic Health Center, Bikop, Cameroon
Desire Akaba, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Felix Assah, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Robinson Mbu Enow, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Yaoundé Gynecology, Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Judith N. Torimiro, Department of Molecular Biology, Chantal BIYA International Reference Center for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon

Abstract

Background: In Cameroon, the prevalence of hepatitis B in the general population is 10%, and the vaccination coverage is less than 15% among adults. Although 80% have heard about the disease, only 50% know the modes of transmission and prevention of hepatitis B virus (HBV).
Aim: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP), sensitise the population and identify new cases of hepatitis B.
Setting: Rural and urban areas of the Centre and South West Regions in Cameroon.
Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was carried out from 2021 to 2023 on the general population to determine the HBV, seroprevalence and assess awareness of hepatitis B. We used modified Bloom’s cutoff to define KAP categories.
Results: Seven hundred and fifty-nine and 456 persons gave consent to participate in the KAP and sero-surveys, respectively. About 20.4% (n = 155/759) of participants had never heard of hepatitis B. Among the 604 participants who had heard, 52.2% (n = 315/604) did not know at least one transmission route. However, 56.8% (n = 343/604) knew the hepatitis B vaccine, yet the vaccination coverage was 5.1% (n = 39/759). Furthermore, 69.5% (n = 420/604) had been tested at least once, 71.0% (n = 429/604) had inadequate knowledge and 68.7% (n = 415/604) had unfavourable practices. An association was observed between knowledge and practice, with an odds ratio of 4.1. HBV seroprevalence was 8.3%.
Conclusion: Poor knowledge and lack of access to reliable information enhance the spread of hepatitis B. This propagation could be mitigated through sensitisation, voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) to identify new cases.
Contribution: Highlights community-engaging initiatives to sensitise, test, prevent and treat hepatitis B.

Keywords

hepatitis B; community; sensitisation; testing; counselling

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 3: Good health and well-being

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