Investigating linkage to care following community‐based screening for hepatitis B virus in rural Senegal: A mixed methods study
Résumé
Abstract This paper investigates linkage to care following community‐based screening for hepatitis B virus (HBV) in rural Senegal. HBV‐positive participants who completed a biological and clinical examination to assess liver disease and treatment eligibility were referred to a regional hospital (if eligible for treatment), invited to join the Sen‐B research cohort study (adults with detectable viral load) or referred to their local health centre (all others). Logistic regressions were conducted to investigate factors associated with (i) uptake of the scheduled post‐screening examination, and (ii) HBV management initiation. Obstacles to HBV management were identified using thematic analysis of in‐depth patient interviews. Of the 206 HBV‐positive participants, 163 (79.1%) underwent the examination; 47 of the 163 (28.8%) initiated HBV management. Women, people not migrating for >6 months/year, individuals living in households with more agricultural and monetary resources, with other HBV‐positive participants, and beneficiaries of the national cash transfer program, were all more likely to undergo the examination. The likelihood of joining the Sen‐B cohort increased with household monetary resources, but decreased with agricultural resources. Initiation of HBV management in local health centre was higher among participants with a non‐agricultural economic activity. Individuals reported wariness and confusion about HBV management content and rationale at various stages of the care continuum, in particular with respect to venous blood sampling and management without treatment. In conclusion, HBV community‐based test‐and‐treat strategies are feasible, but early loss to follow‐up must be addressed through simplified, affordable management and community support and sensitization.
Mots clés
Senegal
chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection
linkage to care
aOR, adjusted odds-ratios CI, confidence interval DBS, dried blood spots HBsAg, hepatitis B surface antigen HBV, hepatitis B virus HDSS, Health and Demographic Surveillance System IQR, interquartile range pwHBV, people living with HBV sSA, sub-Saharan Africa WHO, World Health Organization XOF, West African franc
aOR, adjusted odds-ratios
CI, confidence interval
DBS, dried blood spots
HBsAg, hepatitis B surface antigen
HBV, hepatitis B virus
HDSS, Health and Demographic Surveillance System
IQR, interquartile range
pwHBV, people living with HBV
sSA, sub-Saharan Africa
WHO, World Health Organization
XOF, West African franc
Domaines
Santé publique et épidémiologie
Fichier principal
Journal of Viral Hepatitis - 2024 - Coste - Investigating linkage to care following community‐based screening for hepatitis.pdf (1)
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