%0 Journal Article
%T Factors Influencing Awareness and Practices of Hepatitis B Viral Infection among Students at the University for Development Studies in Tamale, Northern Region, Ghana
%A Odalys Rivera Hernandez
%A Joshua Kanpaat Moiko
%A Celia Yamile Rodriguez Delis
%J Open Access Library Journal
%V 12
%N 1
%P 1-22
%@ 2333-9721
%D 2025
%I Open Access Library
%R 10.4236/oalib.1112715
%X <strong>Background:</strong> Hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection is a severe global health problem and the most serious type of viral hepatitis. There are an estimated 2 billion individuals infected worldwide, and more than 240 million suffer from chronic illness. Ghana is one of the West African countries which is hyper-endemic for HBV, with a prevalence estimate of 15% of the adult population. This study aimed to identify and examine the factors influencing the awareness and practices of Hepatitis B viral infection among university students in Tamale, the Northern Region of Ghana. <strong>Methods:</strong> A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 university students for six weeks, from January to February 2023. Convenience sampling was used to select the participants. Data was obtained using a structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using SPSS Version 22. <strong>Results:</strong> A high percentage of the study population, 94.25%, knew Hepatitis B can&nbsp;affect all age groups. Of the significant complications of Hepatitis B inquired about, 94.25% answered that Hepatitis B could cause hepatocellular carcinoma, which is the number one killer among patients suffering from the disease. More than 90% of respondents knew a vaccine for Hepatitis B was available, and 95.25% were aware of the vaccine¡¯s safety. This underscores the importance of vaccination in preventing the disease. According to the respondents, unsafe blood transfusion and unprotected sex were the major routes of transmission, accounting for 90.25% and 80.5%, respectively. Females, who accounted for 59.25% of the respondents, had a higher level of awareness than males. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> There was a high level of awareness concerning the Hepatitis B viral infection among the university students. Factors significantly impacting students¡¯ practices with Hepatitis B infection were the vaccination status (69%) and willingness to be vaccinated (92.5%). Among the respondents, 20.8% of fresh students and 23.7% of the final year students were aware of the disease.
%K Hepatitis B
%K Awareness
%K University Students
%K Tamale
%U http://www.oalib.com/paper/6845384