Abstract:

Background: Hepatitis B is one of the most common infectious diseases in the world with high prevalence in most of sub-Saharan Africa countries (1) and thus remains a global public health problem. Chronic HBV infection can progress to end-stage liver disease, such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).(2)

Objectives: This study aimed to determine prevalence, awareness, knowledge and factors associated with HBV infection among bar attendants in Ilemela Mwanza-Tanzania.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study from May up to August that enrolled 94 bar attendants from major bars in Ilemela Mwanza-Tanzania. Questionnaire- based interviews were used to obtain detailed sociodemographic characteristics; occupation risks, as well as awareness, knowledge and factors associated with HBV infections. Serological markers of HBV were done using Smart rapid test. Chi-square (χ2) was used to compare proportion of HBV infection between different bar attendant’s characteristics and categorical variables.

Results: A total of 94 bar attendants were enrolled in the study, the median age [IQR] of 25[18-58] years. The prevalence of HBV was 3.2 %(n=3). More than half of the study participants were female 55.3% (n=52), majority were single 75.53%(n=71). A notable 69.14% of bar attendants have not heard about HBV infection from any conventional sources like media or healthcare providers. Furthermore, despite the high unfamiliarity, 76.60% of bar attendants are uncertain about the seriousness of HBV. Using fisher exact no factors showed association with HBV positivity.

Conclusion and recommendation: Bar attendants remain a vulnerable group for acquisition and spread of HBV infection, routine screening and consideration for vaccination should be implemented among bar attendants.