Knowledge,Attitude and Uptake Levels of Hepatitis b vaccination among boda-boda riders in Goma subcounty, Mukono District

Abstract

Globally, hepatitis B affects 240 million people. Each year an estimated 650 000 people die from hepatitis B-related liver disease or liver cancer. It is endemic in much of the developing world, where between 8 and 10 per cent of the population are infected. In most developed countries the prevalence is much lower (less than 1 per cent) and the risks of transmission tend to be restricted to particular groups where exposure to blood is likely. It has caused epidemics in parts of Asia and Africa. Hepatitis B is endemic in China and in various parts of Asia. Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was employed in the study, the population consisted of registered Boda-boda Riders that operate in Goma Division. The sample was reached at using Yamanes formula, and multistage sampling including cluster and simple random sampling were used pick bodaboda participants. The study used the questionnaire survey method for data collection, and data was analysed at a univariated level. Respondents were considered to have adequate knowledge on the HBV infection if the mean percentage scores is ≥50% and poor knowledge if the mean percentage score is below ≤50%. For attitude, the rating was as follows; ≤50% indicated negative attitude, ≥50 signified positive attitude. Likewise, perception was measured as follows; ≤50% indicated poor perception whiles ≥50 signified good perception (Likerts scale). Results: Most of the respondents were aged between 30 and 40 years (52.6%), while the youngest group, those under 25, made up the least (1.3%). When it came to worship attendance, over a third (34%) reported attending once a week. Out of the 154 respondents, only 39.6% reported having received the vaccine, while the majority (60.4%) had not been vaccinated at all. Among those who had been vaccinated, half (50%) had completed all the recommended 3 doses. While 59.5% of the respondents had heard of Hepatitis B, a significant proportion (34%) had never heard of it. Misconceptions were commonfor instance, 58.4% believed the infection could be spread through the air, and 63.6% thought it could be contracted by sharing utensils like spoons or bowls. Although just under half (49.4%) had heard of the vaccine before, a big majority (81.2%) agreed that even healthy individuals need vaccination. Encouragingly, 92.2% expressed willingness to get vaccinated, and 80.5% were open to being tested for the virus. Conclusion: The study found a generally low uptake of the Hepatitis B vaccine among Boda-Boda riders in Goma Division, with only 39.6% of respondents reporting having received at least one dose, and just 50% of these completing all three recommended doses. This highlights a concerning gap in protection among a population frequently exposed to health risks.