The relationship between poverty and “Hepatitis B” among blood donors

Abstract

The research topic is “investigating the relationship between poverty and hepatitis B among blood donors”. A case study of Fort Portal Municipality. This is because the statistics from Fort Portal Regional Blood Bank revealed hepatitis B in communities is high(6%) compared to Schools and Institutions which is at( 1.8%.) The high infection levels in the communities and the poverty in these communities motivated the researcher to research on this particular topic. The study had the general objective and three specific objectives. The specific objectives included to establish infection the infection levels of hepatitis B in Fort Portal Municipality, to find out the impact of poverty on hepatitis B prevalence and to determine measures to reduce the impacts of poverty on the spread of hepatitis B. A total of 80 respondents were sampled from Lyamabwa, Gatyanga and Kitumba 11 communities within the Municipality. These also included 15 walk in donors to the blood Bank fixed site as well as 5 staff members of the blood bank who are also blood donors. Poverty was the independent variable under study which the researcher suspected could be causing an effect on the prevalence of hepatitis B. The respondents were sampled using purposive sampling and simple random sampling. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires and the interview guide. The data was analyzed and presented using tables. The analysis included using frequencies, percentages and descriptive statistics to compare the responses of respondents. The discussing of findings was done linking the findings to the literature review. A conclusion drawn from the findings indicated that poverty had no relationship with prevalence of hepatitis B. It was found out that lack of awareness caused the high prevalence of hepatitis B among blood donors in Fort Portal Municipality communities. The findings revealed that there is a direct relationship between lack of awareness and hepatitis B. The studies also come up with sensitization and vaccination as the major measures for addressing prevalence of hepatitis B in Fort Portal Municipality. Recommendations included the need by government through the ministry of healthy to carry out sensitization about hepatitis B and vaccination of infants and pregnant mothers to help reduce infection. In the areas for further studies, there is need to do a research to find factors affecting blood collection in Fort Portal Municipality.