Factors associated with voluntary testing for HBV in the Upper West Region of Ghana. (November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Anfaara, Florence Wullo; Atuoye, Kilian Nasung; Mkandawire, Paul; Luginaah, Isaac
• Is Part Of: Health & place. Volume 54(2018:Nov.)
• Page Start: 85
• Page End: 91
• Publication Date: 2018-11
• Subjects: Hepatitis B virus -- Voluntary testing -- Primary health care -- Upper West Region -- Ghana; Health -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Health services accessibility -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Political planning -- Periodicals; Social medicine -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Health Policy -- Periodicals; Health Services Accessibility -- Periodicals; Public Health -- Periodicals; Public Policy -- Periodicals; Sociology, Medical -- Periodicals; Épidémiologie -- Périodiques; Politique sanitaire -- Périodiques; Santé, Services de -- Accessibilité -- Périodiques; Health services accessibility; Health -- Social aspects; Political planning; Public health; Social medicine; Periodicals; 613
• DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2018.09.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1353-8292

Abstract

Abstract: This study examined the role of health facilities on testing for Hepatitis B virus in a policy context where screening is only available at a cost. We fitted multivariate multinomial logistic regression models to cross-sectional data (n = 1374) collected from Upper West Region of Ghana. The analysis showed that approximately 28% of respondents reported ever testing for HBV. Although source of healthcare influenced HBV testing, traders (RRR = 0.29, p ≤ 0.001) and farmers (RRR = 0.34, p ≤ 0.01) were significantly less likely to test voluntarily. Wealth generally predicted voluntary testing, although less so for mandatory testing. The findings highlight the need for free HBV services targeting the very poor, especially those who use community-level health facilities as their primary source of care. Highlights: Type of healthcare facility is important for voluntary hepatitis B testing. Users of primary healthcare facilities are more likely to go for hepatitis B screening voluntarily in Ghana. Socioeconomic disparities serve as barriers to hepatitis B screening in a deprived context. Fee for hepatitis B screening services and vaccination should be removed and services decentralized to primary healthcare facilities.