Health-Seeking Behavior of Persons with Chronic Hepatitis B in Peri-Urban Ghana: Application of the Health Belief Model
Date
2024
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
SAGE Open
Abstract
Sub-Saharan African countries, including Ghana, are disproportionately affected by hepatitis B. In Ghana, the burden of hepatitis B is unevenly distributed, with the Brong Ahafo region having the highest prevalence (13.7%). Given that people with hepatitis B (PWHB) in Ghana have previously been found to have a lack of understanding of the impact of the infection, we sought
to explore their health-seeking behaviour using the health belief model as an organising framework. A qualitative exploratory
design was used. In total, 18 people were purposively selected for face-to-face interviews. The data was processed and analysed using QSR NVivo version 11.0 and the Braun and Clarke thematic analysis procedure. The belief that hepatitis B can
cause liver cancer and death was the most important determinant of health seeking. Furthermore, access to accurate hepatitis
B information, particularly information about availability of effective hepatitis B treatment, influenced a number of participants
to seek formal care. However, the high cost of clinical monitoring and treatment to use herbal medicine, despite their concerns about the effectiveness of herbal medicines in managing hepatitis B. Given that hepatitis B information was a factor in
health seeking, it is recommended that a hepatitis B awareness campaign focusing on the availability of hepatitis B treatment
and where it can be obtained be carried out in the study area. Counselling PWHB at the point of diagnosis should highlight
the relevance of life-long clinical monitoring. To remove financial barriers to hepatitis B care in Ghana, the government should
include the cost of hepatitis B laboratory investigations and treatment in the health insurance scheme.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
hepatitis B, health seeking behaviour, health belief model