Baringo: Witchcraft link to Hepatitis B hurts efforts to fight infection

As stakeholders engage in drives to create awareness on Hepatatis B ahead of World Hepatitis Day celebrations set to be marked on Sunday, a total of 700 people are reported to have tested positive for the virus in Baringo.

Florence Kiprono, a 56-year-old mother of five from Marigat, is among those with the condition.

She, like several people in the community, have previously associated the disease with witchcraft. 

Speaking to Wananchi Reporting on Saturday, Florence said she was previously in denial, but after being educated about the condition, she has come to accept it and take measures to manage it.

This comes as rising cases of deaths in her village have caused concern.

The disease which is endemic in the lowlands of Baringo, has been one of the major causes of death in Baringo as stigma associated with the disease has made many shy away from seeking treatment.

Statistics show that Baringo, Migori and Turkana have reported high cases of Hepatatis B.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus. The infection can be acute (short and severe) or chronic (long term).

Myths and stigma have been cited as the major cause in the rise of hepatitis B, with a sizable population still believing it is some sort of witchcraft.

Joseph Kemboi from Majimoto in Mogotio constituency is another Hepatatis B survivor who said he has witnessed people in his village succumb to disease.

He said that it is important to seek treatment.

According to Dr Ibrahim Sumukwo, of the 700 recorded cases of the hepatitis virus, Mogotio, Marigat, Majimoto,Sandai and Baringo North have the highest cases.

The county sounded an alarm over the lack of vaccines and called for urgent action.