An investigation into predictors of hepatitis e virus (HEV) and its preventative strategies in Walvis Bay, Erongo Region, Namibia.
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Date
2022-02
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Namibia University of Science and Technology
Abstract
Hepatitis E Virus (HEV), which is a viral liver infection was declared an epidemic in the year
2017 in Namibia. Subsequent to this declaration, the Ministry of Health and Social Services
(MoHSS) called for a behavioural change effort in six affected regions in Namibia. Therefore,
through this study, predictors such as cultural beliefs, demographics and socioeconomic
factors of Hepatitis E virus and its preventative strategies among the Walvis Bay informal
settlement residents was determined. The study helped in understanding and identifying
perceptions on the predictors of the Hepatitis E virus outbreak among residents in Walvis
Bay.
The study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods using an exploratory
descriptive design. In-depth interviews (n = 20 health care workers and Hepatitis E virus
sufferers) guided by an interview guide was conducted with key informants, structured selfadministered
questionnaires were distributed to 264 households, and records were reviewed
from the Ministry of Health and Social Services, in the Walvis Bay State Hospital’s Health
Information System (HIS). Quantitative data were analysed using Microsoft Excel of 2016
and Statistical Package for Services Solutions (SPSS) version 26, whereas content analysis
was done for qualitative data illustrated through codes and verbatim quotes using ATLAS.ti 9.
The correlation of dependent and independent variables was determined using Chi-square
tests and one-way Multivariate Analysis of Variance (ANOVA).
The study identified complex cultural beliefs such as eating food with own hands (mean
=0.93), washing hands in one bucket (mean =0.67), shaking hands when greeting
(mean=0.66) and the use of traditional medicine (mean=0.45). As indicated in the Walvis Bay
epidemiological curve, the fluctuation of confirmed cases in each week was observed with the
total of 206 cases, majority (57%) being male. Positive associations (p value =3.841) between
the identified complex cultural beliefs and the population’s socio-demographic characteristics
were determined. Finally, the use of traditional medicine, lack of HEV interventions to the
affected communities and the socio-demographic factors were identified as the main obstacles
to the health care management of HEV in Otweya informal settlement, Walvis Bay.
The results of this current study showed that there are different traditional and cultural
practices such as the use of traditional medicine (Oukoreb, Kamaku, Nara !Nomab) and hand
hygiene practices (Shaking hands when greeting, washing hands in one bucket of water,
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eating with hands without cutlery and eating together in one plate) act as predictors of HEV
prevalence in Otweya informal settlement of Walvis Bay. HEV cases were high in the
informal settlements and there were positive associations between the socio-demographic of
the population and cultural beliefs that would lead to the prevalence of HEV. Based on the
results of this study, it is recommended to understand and identify shared main cultural beliefs
of the community with health needs for effective interventions to curb and prevent diseases
such as HEV at the informal settlements of Namibia. Recommendations were made to assist
policy makers to design effective integrated primary health care strategies to serve the
communities in informal settlements in Namibia.
Description
Report presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master in Health
Science in the Faculty of Health and Applied Science.
Keywords
Hepatitis E, Walvis Bay, Erongo Region
Citation
Nghihangwa, J.P.L. (2022). An investigation into predictors of hepatitis e virus (HEV) and its preventative strategies in Walvis Bay, Erongo Region, Namibia. (Unpublished master's thesis). Namibia University of Science and Technology, Windhoek.