Hepatitis B Awareness, Screening & Vaccination Campaigns
Maiha, Yola North, Salama IDP Housing Estate, Nigeria
June – October 2022
Bensther Development Foundation, with support from the Hepatitis B Foundation, carried out a series of Hepatitis B sensitization, screening, and vaccination campaigns across Adamawa State, targeting underserved communities including Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), church groups, and persons with disabilities.
Campaign Highlights
🔸 Maiha (June 1, 2022)
- One-day outreach with local women’s groups
- 46 sensitized, over 50% screened at a subsidized rate
- Feedback sessions encouraged open dialogue
- Challenge: Low male turnout, language barrier
🔸 Yola North (July 1–31, 2022)
- Month-long campaign reaching 197 people
- Sensitized: 120 church members, 77 persons with disabilities
- Screened: 168 individuals
- Vaccinated: 56 free vaccinations provided
- Activities included: sensitization, rapid testing, vaccination, and media engagement
- Challenge: Cost and access to further treatment post-screening
🔸 Salama IDP Housing Estate (October 25, 2022)
- One-day outreach based on a prior request from a Red Cross beneficiary
- 77 screened out of 307 residents
- 9 individuals (11.69%) tested positive
- Residents expressed awareness of their status but lacked financial means for further care
- Challenge: Distance from specialist hospitals, language barriers, and stigma within families
Tools & Methods
- Flip charts, takeaway cards, rapid test kits, vaccines
- Interactive education in small clusters
- Translation assistance (limited due to language barriers)
Key Achievements
✅ Over 320 people sensitized across three locations
✅ 291 individuals screened
✅ 56 vaccinated
✅ Outreach to vulnerable populations: women, youth, IDPs, and people with disabilities
✅ Strong community engagement and leadership support
Challenges & Recommendations
- Financial barriers prevent beneficiaries from seeking follow-up care
- Language barriers hinder understanding; need for local translation support
- Stigma and low male/family participation
Recommendation: Strengthen local partnerships for subsidized care, prioritize family-inclusive outreach, and allocate resources for family tracing and local language materials
These interventions reflect our commitment to reducing Hepatitis B infections through education, accessible screening, and community-driven advocacy across vulnerable communities in Nigeria