Psychological Factors Among People Living with Chronic Hepatitis B in Taraba State University Clinic, Jalingo Nigeria

Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) remains a major public health challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where the psychosocial burden of the disease is often understudied. This study examined depression, anxiety, and stress among individuals living with CHB and receiving follow-up care at the Taraba State University Clinic. It further explored socio-demographic correlates of psychological distress and identified opportunities for integrating mental health and psychosocial support into CHB care. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 217 adults diagnosed with CHB. The 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used to assess psychological outcomes, and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression at p < 0.05. Prevalence rates of depression, anxiety, and stress were 23%, 22.6%, and 18.0%, respectively. Low income, poor health literacy, longer years since diagnosis, larger family size, and unmarried status were significantly associated with psychological distress. Findings highlight the urgent need for routine mental health screening, integrated care models, targeted psychosocial interventions, and strengthened health education within CHB management in Nigeria. Future research should incorporate longitudinal approaches, clinical variables, multi-center samples, and qualitative methods to deepen understanding and improve patient-centered care.

Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Psychosocial Support, Chronic Hepatitis

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