Factors associated with Hepatitis B screening and completion of vaccination schedule among young psychoactive substance users in Kampala's informal settlements, Uganda

Abstract

Background Young psychoactive substance users exhibit high-risk behaviours which can increase their risk to Hepatitis B infection. However, there is limited information on screening, and completion of the Hepatitis B vaccination schedule among young psychoactive substance users in informal settlements. Therefore, this study determined the factors associated with Hepatitis B screening, and completion of the Hepatitis B vaccination schedule among young psychoactive substance users in Kampala’s informal settlements, Uganda. Methods A cross-sectional study design was used. Respondent driven sampling was used to enroll 768 respondents from 12 informal settlements. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using Stata version 14. A “modified” Poisson regression analysis was done to determine the factors associated with Hepatitis B screening while logistic regression was used to determine the factors associated with completion of the Hepatitis B vaccination schedule. Results Out of the 768 respondents, only 13.3% had ever screened for Hepatitis B and 2.7% had completed the Hepatitis B vaccine schedule. Being a female (aPR 1.61, 95% CI: 1.11-2.33), earning a monthly income >USD 136 (aPR 1.78, 95% CI: 1.11-2.86); completion of the Hepatitis B vaccination schedule (aPR 1.85, 95% CI: 1.26-2.70); lack of awareness about the recommended Hepatitis B vaccine dose (aPR 0.43, 95% CI: 0.27-0.68); and the belief that the Hepatitis B vaccine is effective in preventing Hepatitis B infection (aPR 3.67, 95% CI: 2.34-5.73) were associated with “ever screening” for Hepatitis B. Knowledge about the recommended Hepatitis B vaccine dose (aOR 0.06, 95% CI: 0.01-0.35); “ever screening” for hepatitis B (aOR 9.68, 95% CI: 2.17-43.16) and the belief that the hepatitis B vaccine is effective in preventing Hepatitis B infection (aOR 11.8, 95% CI: 1.13-110.14) were associated with completion of the Hepatitis B vaccination schedule. Conclusion Our findings indicate a low prevalence of Hepatitis B screening and completion of the Hepatitis B vaccination schedule among young psychoactive substance users in informal urban settings. It is evident that lack of awareness about Hepatitis B is associated with the low screening and vaccination rates. We recommend mass sensitisation of young psychoactive substance users in urban informal settlements on Hepatitis B.

Sex under the influence of psychoactive substances among young people in informal settlements in Kampala, Uganda: prevalence, predictors, and implications for sexual and reproductive health programming

“…Data presented in the current manuscript are part of the study titled "High-risk sexual behaviours of young psychoactive substance users in Kampala's informal settlements, Uganda" which was conducted between June and July 2019 (9,14,37). The sample size was calculated using the Kish Leslie formula for cross-sectional studies (38).…”

Uptake of hepatitis B treatment eligibility tests among hepatitis B patients; The case of Yumbe regional referral hospital, Uganda

“…A good number of studies have been conducted in Africa, and speci cally Uganda, on the uptake of other hepatitis B services speci cally screening and vaccination (20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25). However, limited literature remains available on the uptake of the HBV recommended treatment eligibility tests (CBC, LFTS, HIV and USS) in rural settings, as well as factors affecting their uptake as no study has been conducted in Uganda and speci cally Yumbe.…”