Knowledge and predictors of attitudes of hepatitis B virus infection prevention among adults in Tolon, Northern Ghana

Abstract

Introduction: Viral hepatitis is one of the major public health concerns, targeted for eradication by 2030. Though previous research has concentrated largely on pregnant women and urban areas, rural populations are reported to be greatly affected in northern Ghana. This study determined knowledge and predictors of attitudes toward hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection prevention among adults in Tolon District, Northern Ghana.

Methodology: This was a population-based cross-sectional descriptive study with a quantitative approach. A multistage stratified random sampling technique was used to select 195 adults. Data were analysed using SPSS version 26. Composite scores were generated for knowledge and attitude levels. At 0.05 precision level, multiple linear regression was performed to determine predictors of respondents’ attitudes.

Results: The overall knowledge level (48.7%) of participants on HBV infection was average, with the majority (67.0%) demonstrating unsatisfactory attitudes towards the prevention. The regression equation was statistically significant (F (3,191) = 61.051), p < 0.001. About half (49%) of the variance in attitude was explained by the independent variables. Participants predicted attitude score was determined as 3.784 – 0.040 (age) + 0.435 (knowledge), where age was measured in years and knowledge was measured as scores on a continuous variable scale.

Conclusions: Knowledge levels are sub-optimal with unsatisfactory attitudes toward HBV infection prevention in the study setting. Participants’ age and knowledge of HBV are significant predictors of attitudes toward its prevention. There is a need to increase access to formal education and health promotion programs in the district, to complement government efforts to attain Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG-3).