AWARENESS AND PRACTICE OF HEPATITIS B AND C PREVENTIVE MEASURES AMONG ARTISANS IN OLORUNDA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OSOGBO, OSUN STATE. NIGERIA.
This study investigated the knowledge, practices, and access to medical health facilities concerning Hepatitis B and C among residents in Olorunda Local Government Area, Osogbo, Osun State. The sample was primarily drawn from Igbona (14.5%), Olohunkoro (13.0%), and another area also identified as Olohunkoro (8.5%). Participants were predominantly young adults aged 18-22 years (40.0%), female (56.5%), single (55.5%), and possessed tertiary education (51.5%). A notable 11.0% were tailors, with 61.5% identifying as Yoruba and 54.5% from nuclear families. Findings revealed significant geographical disparities in healthcare access. Igbona reported the highest “easy access” (12.5%), while Ayekale, MDS, and Okefia recorded the lowest (5.5% each). Conversely, Ogo Oluwa, Old Garage, Enuwa, and Modomo experienced the highest “difficult access” (3.5% each). Knowledge of Hepatitis B and C signs varied, with “loss of appetite” (18.0%) and “weakness” (16.5%) being most recognized, and “jaundice” (5.5%) the least. Awareness of common transmission modes was high, with “unprotected sex” (85.0%), “blood transfusion” (84.0%), and “sharing sharp objects” (74.5%) widely known. However, significant knowledge gaps were identified for “mother-to-child transmission” (14.5%) and “contamination of food and water” (20.0%). Preventive practices presented a mixed picture: 84.0% reported vaccination against Hepatitis B and C, and 81.5% practiced safe sex. Alarmingly, 85.0% reported sharing sharp objects or equipment with colleagues, and only 14.5% had ever been tested for Hepatitis B and C. While a minority (20.5%) experienced challenges accessing vaccination/testing services, a high percentage considered Hepatitis B and C a serious health problem (77.5%) and believed it could be prevented (85.5%). These findings underscore the need for targeted public health interventions to bridge knowledge gaps, address risky behaviors, improve testing uptake, and mitigate geographical disparities in healthcare access to effectively control Hepatitis B and C in the region.
Keywords: Awareness, Hepatitis B and C, Preventive Measures, Artisans, Oshogbo, Nigeria.
