Abstract
Background - Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a liver disease and a global public health concern that is unrecognized and has drawn little attention from global health policymakers, and it is also a problem in sub-Saharan Africa. Most studies done globally and locally have focused on the ordinal population however, this study aimed to ease the lack of knowledge of Hepatitis E infection in childbearing women. Methods - A descriptive retrospective study to determine HEV infection prevalence, symptoms presented and the risk factors associated with Hepatitis E virus infection was conducted in childbearing women residing in Windhoek’s informal settlements (Havana, Hakahana, Ombili, Soweto, Wanaheda, Goreangab dam, Shandumbala, Okuryongava, Greenwell Matongo, Oshitenda, Babilon, One Nation, Okahandja park, Single quarters, and Marula) where there is poor sanitation, to determine the prevalence, symptoms and risk factors of HEV. A descriptive quantitative retrospective study design was used in the current study and the information was obtained from the secondary data sources using a designed questionnaire checklist. Frequencies and proportions were sued to summarise categorical patient socio-demographic characteristics. For continuous variables such as patient age, median and ranges were used to summarise the data, graphics such as the normal curve were used to assess the distribution of the data. Additionally, a chi-square test was used to establish the association between the dependent variable and independent variables. The level of statistically significance was set at 5% level. All data analyses were performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS)...
M.A. (Public Health)