Mathematics of community public health education on hepatitis B virus infection transmission control

摘要

Chronic Hepatitis B virus remains a significant health problem in sub-Saharan Africa and particularly in Kenya which is classified as high prevalence zone. The prevalence is high in the sub-Saharan Africa and accounts for 80% of the adult patients with hepatitis infection. Morbidity and mortality rates are high due to low disease awareness, absence of treatment protocol and the virulent nature of the disease. A study done in Kisumu County Hospital in Kenya showed that many people are unaware of their infection and infectious state and only come to know of their status at the later stages. A mathematical model based on system of differential equations was therefore developed to study the transmission dynamics of hepatitis B virus infection incorporating public health education. For a disease like hepatitis B virus infection public health education may be fundamental for its control particularly in a situation where effective medicines are already available. The study therefore aimed to evaluate the impact of public health education (PHE) on the spread of hepatitis B virus infection.