| dc.description.abstract | Hepatitis B is a global health problem and the tenth leading cause of death worldwide. Hepatitis
B can cause liver damage, liver cirrhosis, and Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Despite the increase of
hepatitis B prevalence worldwide particularly in Uganda, there is inadequate awareness towards
the prevention of hepatitis B in Uganda. The study was set to assess the knowledge, attitudes,
and practices towards hepatitis B prevention among the Kisenyi community in Kampala,
Uganda. The study was a descriptive cross-sectional which adopted both quantitative and
qualitative approaches of research. The study was conducted in Kisenyi slum of Kampala in
Capital City Authority of Uganda. The data was collected using researcher administered
questionnaires to 392 randomly selected residents and qualitative data was collected using a
focused group guide and Key informant interviews were held. The respondents were selected
using simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques. The data was analyzed first
at a descriptive level and thereafter inferential level in SPSS Version 20.0.In undertaking the
study 385 residents were surveyed and the response rate was 98.2%, and the results showed that
the majority which constituted 74% had ever heard about hepatitis B but over51.9% of them did
not know its causes. The results also showed a negative attitude (57.1%) towards hepatitis but
also poor prevention practices constituted (55.3%)while44.7% demonstrated good prevention
practices in as far as hepatitis B is concerned. Results also showed attending health education
program(AOR = 2.31; 95%CI= 1.17-4.57; p= 0.016) and negative reaction of the residents
(AOR= 2.24; 95%CI= 1.40-3.58; p= 0.001) if they were to be found positive as only
significantly influencing good prevention practices among residents of Kisenyi Community. The
study was sought to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices towards hepatitis B
prevention among the Kisenyi community of Kampala district in Uganda. Although most of
Kisenyi community had ever heard about hepatitis B, the study deduced that majority of them
were not knowledgeable about the causes, modes of transmission, signs and symptoms and
effects of hepatitis B. Even though majority of Kisenyi residents perceived hepatitis B vaccine as
a good to prevent the infection, there was a very strong stigmatization against the persons who
were already infected with hepatitis B. The study recommends continuous and sufficient health
education programs to create awareness regarding hepatitis B in the community for attitude
change. It is also recommended that free vaccination and testing programs be accorded to help
the community with limited affordability to know their status and prevent the infection. | en_US |
