HEPATITIS & LIVER DISEASES

Biography

Charles Ampong Adjei is the Chief Executive Officer of Hepatitis Alliance of Ghana and an Assit. Lecturer at University of Ghana. He holds Master of Public Health and Master of Philosophy in Nursing degrees from University of Vrije/KIT in the Netherlands and University of Ghana respectively. Currently, he is a PhD candidate at Maastricht University, The Netherlands.

Mr. Adjei is an experienced researcher. His research focuses primarily on communicable diseases particularly viral Hepatitis. His contribution to Hepatitis prevention and control in Ghana is enormous. This is evident in his countless involvement in health education programmes and policy dialogue on hepatitis in the country. He has published Hepatitis articles in credible peer reviewed journals. He has also presented scientific papers in conferences and facilitated several workshops on viral hepatitis for healthcare providers in Ghana.

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection poses a significant challenge because of its worldwide distribution and potential complications

Objective: This study explored the perspectives of people with hepatitis B and healthcare providers on the beliefs contributing to hepatitis B stigma in Northern and Southern Ghana and the ways in which hepatitis B stigma manifests.

Methods: The study used an exploratory qualitative design with a purposive sampling technique. Face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions were conducted. Data were processed using QSR Nvivo version 10.0 and analysed using content analysis. Participants were recruited from one tertiary and one regional hospital in Ghana. Overall, 18 people with hepatitis B and 47 healthcare providers (physicians, nurses, and midwives) between the ages of 21 and 57 years participated in the study.

Results: The findings of the study showed that people with hepatitis B are faced with stigma in their socio-cultural context and the healthcare environment. Three main beliefs underlying stigma were found: (1) the belief that hepatitis B is highly contagious; (2) the belief that hepatitis B is very severe; and (3) the belief that hepatitis B is caused by curses. Stigmatisation manifested as avoidance, isolation, and physical distance. Also, in healthcare settings, excessive cautiousness, task-shifting, procedure avoidance, breaches of confidentiality, and silence by healthcare providers were reported.

Conclusions: Implementation of programmes that increase public awarenenes about hepatitis B transmission are needed in the study settings. Capacity training of healthcare providers on epidemiology of hepatitis B is very crucial. Also, effective theory and evidence-based stigma reduction interventions are recommended.