Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus and HIV Infection Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care Clinic in Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV infection remain a major public health challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa. The HCV and HIV infection among pregnant women have a serious outcome on maternal and newborn health. There is limited information in this regards in West part of Ethiopia. This study aims to identify the sero- prevalence and predictor factors of HCV and HIV infection among pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) in Western Ethiopia.Methods: An institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted from July to September, 2014 among 421 pregnant women's attending ANC services in purposively selected health facilities of western Ethiopia. The HCV and HIV infections were diagnosed by detection antibodies from aseptically collected serum sample. HCV was identified using an enzyme linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) while HIV infection was tested with rapid HIV tests following the national HIV test algorithm. The pretested and structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data, and potential predictor factors of HCV and HIV infection. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 statistical software.Result: The overall sero-prevalence of HCV and HIV among the study population was 8.1% and 1.0%, respectively. The prevalence of HCV/HIV co-infection was 0.23% (1/421). Among HIV infected women, the prevalence of HCV infection was 25% (1/4). The risk of HCV infection was significantly low for urban residents (AOR = 0.38, 95%CI: 0.16-0.90) and illiterate (AOR = 0.24, 95%CI: 0.06-0.85). However, the history of blood transfusion was significantly increases the risk of HIV infection (AOR = 19.52, 95%CI: 1.80-150.6).Conclusion: Our study confirms public health importance of HCV and HIV infections among pregnant women in the study area. The study suggests need of attention for rural residents and educated segment of the population for HCV prevention, and national blood blank to check HIV test method used for blood transfusion.

Epidemiology of hepatitis B and C virus infections among patients who booked for surgical procedures at Felegehiwot referral hospital, Northwest Ethiopia

“…On the contrary, the prevalence of HCV was found to be lower compared to a study finding from Hawasa where HCV prevalence was 5.5% [6]. It was also lower compared to study findings from the Oromia region [15,28] and Hawasa referral hospital [6] where HCV prevalence were 8% and 9%, respectively.…”

“…This indicates the presence of unsafe sexual practices within the community which is a serious practice to expose people not only to hepatitis but also to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Similar study findings from Ethiopia and abroad also supported this finding [3,6,16,24,27,28,33,34]. This is because of unsafe sexual practices with more partners whose status is unknown since blood and body fluids are key infection sources.…”

“…This implies the presence of high hepatitis infections among rural communities with unknown status as a result of poor screening practices. This might be related to low community awareness, limited access to healthcare facilities, less precaution to blood and body fluids, sharing of sharp instruments, and high prevalence of traditional practices including home-based delivery, tooth extraction, and female genital mutilation in rural areas [3,28]. Similarly, being single in marital status was found to be an important factor to acquire HBV infection.…”

Prevalence, seroconversion and mother-to-child transmission of dual and triplex infections of HIV, hepatitis B and C viruses among pregnant women in Nigeria: study protocol

“…A national survey in Nigeria in 2016 reported prevalence rate of 12.2% [4]. HCV on the other hand affects about 3% of the world's population; that is, 170 million people globally [5]. In Nigeria, the estimated prevalence of HCV infection varies widely (0.4-14.7%) depending on the region and subpopulation being considered [6,7].…”

Prevalence, Seroconversion and Mother-To-Child Transmission of Dual and Triplex Infections of HIV, Hepatitis B and C Viruses Among Pregnant Women in Nigeria: Study Protocol

“…HCV on the other hand affects about 3% of the world's population; that is, 170 million people globally. [5] In Nigeria, the estimated prevalence of HCV infection varies widely (0.4-14.7%) depending on the region and subpopulation being considered. [6,7] A common denominator among all the reported prevalence in Nigeria is the lack of generalizability as their data is not nationally representative.…”