Traditional health attendants and community health workers' role in advancing viral hepatitis elimination services in crisis resettlement settings of Nigeria
1
Department of Public Health, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
2
Department of Political Sciences, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria
3
Department of Human Psychology, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria
4
Department of Global Health, University of Global health Equity, Butaro, Rwanda
5
Department of Public Administration, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
6
Department of Psychology, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria
7
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Research Unit, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1588
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Ongoing conflict, displacement crises in parts of Nigeria have resulted in the formation of temporary settlements and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps where access to routine healthcare, including hepatitis B vaccination and screening, is severely limited. In these fragile settings, traditional birth attendants (TBAs), herbalists, and community health workers (CHWs) often serve as the most trusted and accessible providers of care [1,2,3]. Their influence, rooted in cultural familiarity and spiritual support, presents a unique opportunity to extend hepatitis services to populations otherwise left behind [2,3]. This narrative review explores how traditional health attendants and CHWs contribute to advancing viral hepatitis elimination services within crisis and resettlement settings in Nigeria.
METHODS:
A narrative review approach was employed, drawing on literature from peer-reviewed journals, NGO reports, and government assessments between 2012 and 2025. Five databases were searched using keywords related to hepatitis, displacement, traditional healers, and CHWs in Nigeria. Grey literature from humanitarian organisations operating in IDP camps and crisis zones were also reviewed.
RESULTS:
TBAs and CHWs in resettlement areas often function as key gatekeepers to health-seeking behaviour. Their established trust, spiritual support, and regular contact with displaced families position them to effectively encourage hepatitis B birth-dose administration, childhood vaccination, and referral for treatment. CHWs trained in hepatitis messaging successfully integrated hepatitis screening into existing outreach for maternal and child health. However, constraints such as inadequate training, lack of supplies, and systemic exclusion from formal health response structures limit their full potential.
CONCLUSIONS:
In crises and resettlement settings, where conventional health systems often fail, community-trusted actors like TBAs and CHWs offer a culturally embedded, person-centred pathway to advance hepatitis elimination. Formal recognition, training, and integration of these actors into hepatitis control strategies, particularly during humanitarian emergencies, can drive equitable access to vaccination and care for displaced populations.
Ongoing conflict, displacement crises in parts of Nigeria have resulted in the formation of temporary settlements and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps where access to routine healthcare, including hepatitis B vaccination and screening, is severely limited. In these fragile settings, traditional birth attendants (TBAs), herbalists, and community health workers (CHWs) often serve as the most trusted and accessible providers of care [1,2,3]. Their influence, rooted in cultural familiarity and spiritual support, presents a unique opportunity to extend hepatitis services to populations otherwise left behind [2,3]. This narrative review explores how traditional health attendants and CHWs contribute to advancing viral hepatitis elimination services within crisis and resettlement settings in Nigeria.
METHODS:
A narrative review approach was employed, drawing on literature from peer-reviewed journals, NGO reports, and government assessments between 2012 and 2025. Five databases were searched using keywords related to hepatitis, displacement, traditional healers, and CHWs in Nigeria. Grey literature from humanitarian organisations operating in IDP camps and crisis zones were also reviewed.
RESULTS:
TBAs and CHWs in resettlement areas often function as key gatekeepers to health-seeking behaviour. Their established trust, spiritual support, and regular contact with displaced families position them to effectively encourage hepatitis B birth-dose administration, childhood vaccination, and referral for treatment. CHWs trained in hepatitis messaging successfully integrated hepatitis screening into existing outreach for maternal and child health. However, constraints such as inadequate training, lack of supplies, and systemic exclusion from formal health response structures limit their full potential.
CONCLUSIONS:
In crises and resettlement settings, where conventional health systems often fail, community-trusted actors like TBAs and CHWs offer a culturally embedded, person-centred pathway to advance hepatitis elimination. Formal recognition, training, and integration of these actors into hepatitis control strategies, particularly during humanitarian emergencies, can drive equitable access to vaccination and care for displaced populations.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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