Sero-Prevalence and Associated Factors of Hepatitis B Virus Among Pregnant Women at North West Ethiopia: An Institution-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background Hepatitis B virus is a public health problem in the world. It is a major cause of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatic cellular carcinoma. The presence of a confirmed HBsAg result is indicative of ongoing HBV infection. This study aims to assess the sero-prevalence and associated factors of the hepatitis B virus among pregnant women in North West Ethiopia. Methods and Materials An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Debre Markos Referral Hospital from January to July 2017. A consecutive 338 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic were included. A structured questionnaire was used to assess hepatitis B virus infection associated factors and some socio-demographic characteristics. A 5 mL of venous blood was collected from each study participant and plasma was separated and analyzed using a rapid HBsAg kit and further confirmed by double sandwich ELISA. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 24. Results The mean age of the study participants was 27 (SD ± 4.75) years. The sero-prevalence of hepatitis B virus in pregnant women was 28 (8.3%). Body tattooing practice (AOR = 4.94 95% CI, 1.87–13.0), multi-partner sexual intercourse (AOR = 4.48 95% CI, 1.89–10.5) and family hepatitis B history (AOR = 7.40 95% CI, 2.23–24.5) were statistically significantly associated with HBV infection (p = 0.001). Conclusion The prevalence of hepatitis B infection is very high among pregnant women in the study area. Awareness creation on modes of transmission and early screening of all pregnant women attending antenatal care must be strengthened to minimize and control infection.

High Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C Virus Infections among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in Borumeda General Hospital, Northeast Ethiopia

“…The seroprevalence of HBsAg in the current study was 8.1% (10/124), and this rate of infectivity can be considered a highly endemic scenario of the virus [ 31 ]. The seroprevalence of HBsAg in the present study was comparable with other similar studies conducted in Ethiopia [ 18 , 26 , 32 ]. A cross-sectional study in Tanzania also reported consistent HBV infection rates among pregnant women [ 33 ].…”

“…In some situations, even pregnant women may not be aware of their HBV serostatus [22], and only a few of the study participants had knowledge about HCV and HBV [23]. The two viral hepatitis seroprevalences among pregnant women become increased through the course of time in different localities of Ethiopia and various parts of Africa [6,[23][24][25][26]. On the contrary, viral hepatitis showed a decreasing pattern in certain developed countries like China [27].…”

Sero-Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Associated Factors among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care at Edna Adan University Hospital Hargeisa, Somaliland, 2022 - A Cross-Sectional Study

“…In addition, pregnant women who had a history of blood transfusion were 9.3 times more likely of being infected by HBV than pregnant women who had no history of blood transfusion (AOR = 9.3 95% CI (1.57-55.10), p-value = 0.014). This is in line with similar studies conducted in Khairpur teaching hospital, Pakistan [18], Debre markos, Ethiopia [19] and in Tanzania [20]. This is explained due the fact that the virus is transmitted through any body fluids such as mucosal, blood contact from an infected individuals easily.…”

Sero-prevalence and associated factors of hepatitis B virus among pregnant women in Hawassa city public hospitals, Southern Ethiopia: Cross-sectional study design

“…Studies in Ethiopia indicated that the seroprevalence of HBsAg among pregnant women ranged from 2.3% to 8.3%. 21 , 22 However, studies on the prevalence and associated factors among pregnant women particularly in the study area are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with HBV infection among pregnant mothers who attended ANC at Hawassa city public hospitals.…”