PLoS ONE (Jan 2022)

Predictors of Hepatitis B screening and vaccination status of young psychoactive substance users in informal settlements in Kampala, Uganda.

  • Tonny Ssekamatte,
  • John Bosco Isunju,
  • Joan Nankya Mutyoba,
  • Moses Tetui,
  • Richard K Mugambe,
  • Aisha Nalugya,
  • Winnifred K Kansiime,
  • Chenai Kitchen,
  • Wagaba Brenda,
  • Patience Oputan,
  • Justine Nnakate Bukenya,
  • Esther Buregyeya,
  • Simon P S Kibira

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0267953
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 17, no. 5
p. e0267953

Abstract

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BackgroundYoung psychoactive substance users exhibit high-risk behaviours such as unprotected sexual intercourse, and sharing needles and syringes, which increases their risk of Hepatitis B infection. However, there is limited evidence of screening, and vaccination status of this subgroup. The aim of this study was to establish the predictors of screening and completion of the hepatitis B vaccination schedule.MethodsA cross-sectional study using respondent driven sampling was used to enrol respondents from twelve out of fifty-seven informal settlements in Kampala city. Data were collected using an electronic structured questionnaire uploaded on the KoboCollect mobile application, and analysed using Stata version 14. A "modified" Poisson regression analysis was done to determine the predictors of screening while logistic regression was used to determine the predictors of completion of the Hepatitis B vaccination schedule.ResultsAbout 13.3% (102/768) and 2.7% (21/768) of the respondents had ever screened for Hepatitis B, and completed the Hepatitis B vaccination schedule respectively. Being 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 (aPRR 3.67, 95% CI: 2.34-5.73) were associated with "ever screening" for Hepatitis B. Knowledge of 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.ConclusionsOur findings indicate a low prevalence of Hepatitis B screening and completion of the Hepatitis B vaccination schedule among young psychoactive substance users in informal settings. It is evident that lack of awareness about Hepatitis B is associated with the low screening and vaccination rates. We recommend creation of awareness of Hepatitis B among young people in urban informal settlements.