Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding the risk of Hepatitis E virus among the residents of Havana information settlement in Windhoek, Namibia
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Date
2021
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Publisher
University of Namibia
Abstract
Globally, every year there are an estimated 20 million Hepatitis E virus infections
worldwide, leading to an estimated 3.3 million symptomatic cases of hepatitis E. The 237 probable and confirmed cases at health facilities in Windhoek district are mostly from Havana informal settlement. These areas are characterized by overcrowded, poor living conditions and residents have limited access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene. The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the residents of Havana informal settlement regarding the risk factors contributing to the hepatitis E virus in Windhoek district, Khomas region Namibia. In this study, a quantitative and cross - sectional analytical study design was employed. The target population of this study was adults aged group 18- 60 years. A stratified sampling method was used. In this study, a structured questionnaire was developed to collect data from the
participants. The data were collected through a questionnaire. The responses from each questionnaire were entered into a data entry template of the SPSS statistics software and the Chi square method was used. The study revealed that the majority of the participants 83.3% had sufficient knowledge while the least participants 16.8% had low level of knowledge regarding the risk factors of Hepatitis E virus. Majority number of participants 93.3% had a positive attitude which covers total population in the study while the fewer number of the participants 6.8% were negative attitude which was the least in the study. Study revealed that majority of the number of the participants 66.3% had poor practice while a small number of the participants 33.8% had good It is therefore recommended that the Ministry of Health and Social Services and the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development train and employ health care assistants who could help the affected residents in the community on how to implement control measures that will minimize the risk of
Hepatitis E virus among residents in the Havana informal settlement.
Description
A thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Nursing Science
Keywords
Hepatitis E