Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major global health problem, with Sub Saharan African (SSA) countries such as Nigeria hyper-endemic. HBV infection causes health problems for adults but also infants and children, who once infected during pregnancy are infected for life. 

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Public health measures include Hepatitis B vaccination, although perinatal surveillance and routine neonatal vaccination is low in Nigeria and many SSA countries.

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SSA immigrants to Ontario experience health inequities including  racism, lack of integration into healthcare systems, language barriers and many other systemic barriers.

 

This doctoral thesis will address the following research questions:

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What is the estimated HBV vaccination coverage and its antecedent factors among pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa and sub-Saharan African immigrants in Canada?

 

What are the facilitators and barriers to HBV vaccination among women of reproductive age in Nigeria and sub-Saharan African immigrant women in Ontario, Canada?

 

How do HBV vaccination rates and influencing factors compare between women in Nigeria and sub-Saharan African immigrant women in Ontario?

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PhD Thesis: Ismail Afolabi

Co-Supervisor: Dr. Shannon Bainbridge