Antihepatitis B Surface Antigen and Hepatitis C Antibodies among Pregnant Women in an Urban Area of Mwanza City, Tanzania

Abstract

Background. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses (HBV and HCV) are life-threatening infections of public health importance due to their association with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite HBV being moderately endemic in many low-income countries, there is no routine HBV vaccination among child bearing aged women making them at risk of transmitting infections to the foetus during pregnancy. This study investigated the seroprevalence of antihepatitis B surface antibodies (anti-HBs) and HCV antibodies among pregnant women in Mwanza city to provide data that can be used in devising preventive strategies. Methods. A cross-sectional hospital-based study involving 339 pregnant women was conducted between June and July 2017. Data were collected using structured data collection tool. Detection of anti-HBs was performed using enzyme immunoassay while qualitative rapid immunochromatographic tests were employed to detect HCV antibodies. Data was analyzed by using STATA version 13. Results. The mean age of the study participants was 25.6±5.8 years. The prevalence of anti-HBs was 85/339 (25.1%, 95% CI: 20.4-29.6) while that of HCV antibodies was 1/333 (0.3%, 95% CI: 0.1-0.4). By univariate logistic regression analysis, increase in age (OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.00-1.09, P=0.03), unknown HIV status (OR: 0.3, 95% CI: 0.11-0.79, P=0.035), and multigravidity (OR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.18-3.8, P=0.038) were significantly associated with anti-HBs seropositivity. Conclusion. A significant proportion of pregnant women have anti-HBs while the seroprevalence of HCV is low among pregnant women in the city of Mwanza. Routine screening of HBV among pregnant women coupled with appropriate management should be emphasized in developing countries. Further studies to determine seroprevalence of HCV are recommended across the country.

Hepatitis B and C Viruses’ Infection and Associated Factors among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care in Hospitals in the Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia

“…This finding is comparable to a study conducted in southern Ethiopia (1.8%) [ 43 ]. However, our result is higher than studies done in Tanzania (0.3%) [ 44 ] and Bahir Dar (0.6%) [ 20 ]. In contrast, our finding is lower than studies done in East Wollega (8.1%) and Egypt (6.1%) [ 18 , 45 ].…”

“…In high endemic areas, coinfection of HBV and HCV is more dangerous in pregnant women and their infants than monoinfection [ 29 , 36 , 43 ]. In contrast to this finding, no coinfection of these viruses was detected in studies conducted in Ethiopia and elsewhere [ 20 , 44 ]. The differences might be due to differences in sample sizes, awareness of transmission methods, risk factors, and diagnostic kit employed.…”

Prevalence and Predominant Genotype of Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Associated Risk Factors among Pregnant Women in Iran

“…Previous studies from the west and northwest of Iran revealed almost no risk factor for HCV seropositivity among pregnant women [ 21 , 22 ]. The same findings have been reported in the study of Chibwe et al [ 25 ]. In contrast, some studies from Egypt, Pakistan, and Ghana have reported a significant association between the history of blood transfusion and HCV seropositivity [ 30 , 35 , 39 , 40 ].…”

Hepatitis B and C viruses’ infection and associated factors among pregnant women in the Amhara region, Ethiopia: implications for prevention of vertical transmission.

“…Studies have documented that there was co-infection of HBV and HCV among pregnant women, similar to our ndings [37,44]. In contrast to this nding, no co-infection of these viruses was detected in studies conducted in Ethiopia and elsewhere [17,29,45].…”

“…This nding is comparable to a study conducted in southern Ethiopia 1.8% [44]. However, our result is higher than Tazania 0.3% [45] and Bahir Dar 0.6% [17]. In contrast, our nding is lower than studies done in East Wolega 8.1% and Egypt 6.1% [29,46].…”