The Department of Health held a special hepatitis awareness action in the area
recently.
“I always wash my hands before I handle food but I was unaware that the
way I wash my hands is not the proper way. I learnt that condom usage does not
only prevent the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections
but also prevent hepatitis,” commented Ntombi Sotomela, one of the patients
who visited Wedela clinic.
Aiming to raise awareness of different forms of hepatitis and how they are transmitted, strengthening prevention and control of viral hepatitis, the National
Department of Health, in conjunction with the Gauteng Provincial Department
of Health, West Rand District Health Services and other stakeholders conducted the hepatitis awareness campaign in the Merafong Local Municipality area on Thursday 28 July.
The focus of the campaign was on hepatitis A and B, which commonly affects both children and adults. Environmental health practitioners demonstrated how to wash your hands properly and health promotion personnel gave talks on how to use female and male condoms as preventative measures for transmitting the hepatitis disease.
According to Yolandie Luther, the assistant director of the expanded programmes
on immunisation, hepatitis A and E viruses are highly contagious and transmitted through contaminated food and water. The hepatitis B virus is transmitted through the contaminated blood and other bodily fluids (i.e. saliva, semen and vaginal fluid) of an infected person. It can pass from mother to child during childbirth.
The signs and symptoms of viral hepatitis include jaundice or yellowing of the skin and eyes, fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, low-grade fever, headache and dark urine.
“Use condoms and avoid sharing needles or items such as toothbrushes, razors or nail scissors with an infected person. It is also wise to avoid getting tattoos or body piercings from unlicensed facilities,” Luther suggested.
“Practise basic hygiene in order to prevent hepatitis A and hepatitis E infections.
Furthermore, consume safe food and avoid drinking water that has come from a potentially unsafe source,” she concluded.
After the clinic, the team split up. Some members visited Havens Early Childhood Development Centre and others went to the Stitch Wise company and presented an educational session on the different forms of hepatitis and how to wash hands properly.
The employees at Stitch Wise thoroughly enjoyed the educational session.
“I am happy that the Department of Health identified our company for the educational session. There were a few things I was not sure of, but now I am fully capacitated,” said Bush Belebesi.
