Prevalence of hepatitis B and C Viruses associated risk factors and knowledge, attitude and practice among refugees at Pugnido-I camp in Gambela, Ethiopia.
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Date
2018-06
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Addis Ababa Universty
Abstract
Background: In the last two decades Ethiopia has witnessed increasing immigration flows from
South Sudan, Somalia and Eritrea. However, these immigrants are not screened for hepatitis B and
C which could be additional burden for the local population.
Objective: To determine Prevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses, associated risk factors and
knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) among refugees at Pugnido-I refugee camp in Gambela,
Ethiopia.
Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted on 453 refugees at Pugnido-I refugee camp in
Gambella region from January to May 2018.Socio-demographic, risk factors and KAP was
assessed by using structured questionnaires. Five ml blood sample was collected with serum
separator tube. HBsAg and anti-HCV rapid screening tests were performed and those positive
samples were confirmed using ELISA method. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS
statistical software version 20. The odds ratio and 95% confidence interval was calculated to assess
the strength of the association. P-value less than 0.05 were considered as statistically significant.
Results: The overall prevalence of HBV and HCV among refugees was 7.3 %( n=33/453) and 2.0
%( n=9/453) respectively. Of those 6.8% (n=25/370) and 1.4% (n=5/370) of females were positive
for HBV and HCV respectively. And 9.6 % (n=8/83) and 4.8 % (n=4/83) of males were positive
for HBV and HCV respectively There was no significant association between HBV and proposed
risk factors (p>0.05), however, statistical significant association was observed between HCV and
age group of 18-25years (AOR=0.045, CI 95%=0.005-0.378, P=0.004) and 26-35years
(AOR=0.035, CI 95%0.004-0.301, P=0.002). From the total participants, 86.5%(n= 392/453) did
not know how the disease is transmitted, 8.2%(n= 37/453) believed that hepatitis can be
transmitted through food, 86.8%(n= 393/453) had no information about the availability of HBV
vaccine and 98.5%(n=446/453) were not vaccinated.
Conclusion: The prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C among refugees was intermediate which
might be due to low knowledge and attitude towards the transmission and prevention of the disease.
Therefore this indicates the need for creating awareness for refugees about the transmission and
prevention mechanisms of hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection. Large scale study is recommended
at national level.
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Keywords
Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus, Pugnido Refugee camp, Gambella, Ethiopia.