CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1. Background to the study

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic diseases. The virus most commonly transmitted from mother to child during child birth, through contact with blood or other body fluid, through contact with blood or other body fluid during sex with an infected partner, unsafe injections or exposure to sharp instruments. [1]. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide [2]. The WHO estimates that 290million were living with chronic hepatitis B infection in 2019 with 1.5million new infections every year.  In 2019 HBV resulted in an estimated 820,000 deaths, mostly from cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (primary liver cancer). Hepatitis B can be prevented by vaccines that are safe available and effective.In Africa and Asia, the prevalence of HBV is > 8% and 2 billion people have markers of current or past infection with HBV.  Approximately 65 million of all chronically infected individuals live in Africa In Cameroon, the prevalence of HBV ranges from 6-16% . Recent studies report the prevalence of HBV to be as high as 10.1% and 12% among blood donors in hospital blood banks in Cameroon. Studies assessing knowledge and practices regarding HBV prevention and transmission is mostly conducted on health care workers since they are considered to be at a higher risk of acquiring HBV infection especially clinicians with direct patient contact as well as laboratory workers.

1.2. Problem Statement

Hepatitis B is a potentially life threatening liver infections, caused by Hepatitis B virus. It is a major global health problem. The hepatitis B virus infection is the most common chronic infection in the world. Safe and effective prophylactic vaccines and effective antiviral drugs are available to prevent and treat HBV infection but the global burden remains high. Following a global submit in 2015, WHO launched a global program against hepatitis with the following goals; to reduce by 90% the number of new cases of hepatitis B, to reduce by 65% the number of HBV related deaths and treat 80% of eligible people infected with HBV. With the efforts made by the WHO, government, health care providers and communities to raise awareness and improve access to care, the spread of HBV is still on an increase. Hepatitis B is one of the most serious viral infections and a global health problem.

Hepatitis B virus has been a problem to the citizens of Cameroon including the inhabitants of Bamenda especially to individuals of the age group 20-40years as they are of the sexual active group and are involved in many different works of life which could easily expose them to viral Hepatitis b.This work is going to determine the prevalence of the virus among adult patients consulting at the Regional Hospital Bamenda and the practices that aid in the prevention of the hepatitis B virus.

1.3. Research Questions

• What is the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B among adult patients consulting at the Regional Hospital Bamenda(RHB)?
• What are the practices that aid in the prevention of Hepatitis B among adult patients consulting at the RHB?
• What are the risk factors associated with Hepatitis B among adult patients consulting at the RHB?

1.4. Research Hypothesis

Ho: Adult patients consulting at the Bamenda Regional Hospital have low seroprevalence of Hepatitis B.

Ha: Adult patients consulting at the Bamenda Regional Hospital Have high prevalence of hepatitis B.

1.5. Research Objectives

1.5.1. Main Objective

The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B and practices towards its prevention among adult patients consulting at the Regional Hospital Bamenda.

1.5.2. Specific Objectives

The specific objectives were:

1) To determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus among adult patients consulting at the Bamenda Regional Hospital

2)  To evaluate practices of these patients towards the prevention of this infection.

3) To identify risk factors of the HBV among adult patients consulting at the Bamenda Regional Hospital.