Ghazzawi Manal, Yendewa Sahr A, James Peter B, Massaquoi Samuel P, Babawo Lawrence S, Sahr Foday, Deen Gibrilla F, Kabba Mustapha, Ocama Ponsiano, Lakoh Sulaiman, Salata Robert A, Yendewa George A
KnowHep Foundation, Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Healthcare (Basel). 2023 Jan 6;11(2):177. doi: 10.3390/healthcare11020177.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major global health challenge. Emerging evidence suggests that poor knowledge and stigma are impacting HBV control efforts in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), but their role is not well understood. We conducted a cross-sectional study of adults aged ≥18 years in a community and pharmacy setting in Freetown, Sierra Leone. A structured questionnaire was used to assess knowledge, stigmatizing attitudes and health-seeking behaviors regarding HBV. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of HBV knowledge and related stigma. A total of 306 adult participants were enrolled (50.7% male, 7.5% HBV positive and 11.7% vaccinated). Overall, 52.2% had good HBV knowledge and 49.3% expressed a stigmatizing attitude towards people with HBV. Notwithstanding, 72.2% stated they would receive the HBV vaccine if offered, 80.4% would take anti-HBV medication and 78.8% would be willing to attend clinic regularly. Good HBV knowledge was associated with HBV positive status (aOR 4.41; p = 0.029) and being vaccinated against HBV (aOR 3.30; p = 0.034). HBV-related stigma was associated with secondary or higher level of education (aOR 2.36; p < 0.001), good HBV knowledge (aOR 2.05; p = 0.006) and pharmacy setting (aOR 1.74, p = 0.037). These findings suggest that education and stigma reduction may benefit HBV elimination efforts in SSA.
乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）是一项重大的全球健康挑战。新出现的证据表明，知识匮乏和污名化正在影响撒哈拉以南非洲（SSA）的乙肝防控工作，但其作用尚未得到充分理解。我们在塞拉利昂弗里敦的一个社区和药房环境中，对18岁及以上的成年人进行了一项横断面研究。使用结构化问卷来评估关于乙肝的知识、污名化态度和就医行为。采用逻辑回归来确定乙肝知识和相关污名的预测因素。总共招募了306名成年参与者（男性占50.7%，乙肝阳性者占7.5%，接种疫苗者占11.7%）。总体而言，52.2%的人有良好的乙肝知识，49.3%的人对乙肝患者表达了污名化态度。尽管如此，72.2%的人表示如果有机会，他们会接种乙肝疫苗，80.4%的人会服用抗乙肝药物，78.8%的人愿意定期去诊所就诊。良好的乙肝知识与乙肝阳性状态（调整后比值比[aOR]为4.41；p = 0.029）和接种乙肝疫苗（aOR为3.30；p = 0.034）相关。与乙肝相关的污名与中等或高等教育水平（aOR为2.36；p < 0.001）、良好的乙肝知识（aOR为2.05；p = 0.006）和药房环境（aOR为1.74，p = 0.037）相关。这些发现表明，开展教育和减少污名化可能有助于撒哈拉以南非洲的乙肝消除工作。
