Geospatial distribution of Hepatitis B prevention services in Wakiso District, Central Uganda

IntroductionDespite global and national efforts in place for the prevention and control of Hepatitis B, there remains a gap in access to hepatitis B prevention services such as testing and vaccination. Nonetheless, there is limited evidence of the geospatial distribution of Hepatitis B services. This study established the geospatial distribution of HBV vaccination services in Wakiso District, Uganda. Materials and methodsA cross-sectional quantitative descriptive study was conducted among 55 healthcare facilities including 6 hospitals, and 49 primary care facilities in Wakiso district. Data were collected using the KoboCollect application. Quantitative data were analysed using STATA 14.0. A chi-square test was performed to establish the relationship between healthcare facility characteristics and the availability of hepatitis B services. ArcGIS (version 10.1) was used for analysis of geospatial data. ResultsThe hepatitis B vaccine was available in only 27.3 % (15) of the facilities, and 60% (33) had testing services. Receipt of the hepatitis B vaccine doses in the last 12 months was associated with the level of healthcare facility (p=[≤]0.001) and location (p=0.030). Availability of the Hepatitis B vaccines at the time of the survey was associated with the level of healthcare facility (p=0.002) and location (p=0.010). Availability of hepatitis B testing services was associated with level of healthcare facility (p=0.031), ownership (p[≤]0.001) and location (p=0.010). Healthcare facilities offering vaccination and testing services were mostly in urban healthcare facilities, and close to Kampala, Ugandas capital. ConclusionHepatitis B services were sub-optimal across all healthcare facility levels, locations, and ownership. The majority of the hepatitis B prevention services were provided in urban settings, close to major towns, municipalities, and the city. This calls a extension of hepatitis B prevention services to rural, public and PNFP healthcare facilities.