Nasio Hepatitis B Testing
According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Kenya has a Hepatitis B prevalence rate of 5-7%, among the highest in the world. Hepatitis B is often called a “silent killer” due to low testing and treatment rates, leading to severe liver damage, cirrhosis, and liver cancer if undiagnosed. Around 5-10% of people living with HIV in Kenya are also infected with Hepatitis B, increasing their health risks. Vulnerable groups include expectant mothers and individuals with multiple sexual partners, such as boda boda riders in the Mumias West community. Hepatitis-related conditions are also a leading cause of hospital admissions for those with HIV.
With the support of trained epidemiologists from Oxford University Hospital and Kilifi County Hospital –Dr Katie Jeffery and Dr Louise Downs—we successfully launched the Hepatitis B testing service in July 2024. This is the first of its kind testing service, providing testing for free, within the Mumias West Sub County. Since the launch, 155 people have been tested including expecting mothers, those affected with HIV and other members of the general population.
