Sero-prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen amongst pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic, Volta region, Ghana

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a global challenge, although there is currently a safe and effective vaccine available. HBV prevalence in Ghana is not well documented, but vary regionally from 4.8% to 12.3% in the general population, 10.8% to 12.7% in blood donors and about 10.6% in pregnant women. This puts Ghana among the high endemic countries in Africa. The study objective was to determine the sero-prevalence of HBs antigen (Ag) and HBeAg among pregnant women in the Ho municipality. Two hundred and eigh participants (pregnant women), attending Ho Municipal antenatal clinic were enrolled into the study. This study recorded a HBsAg sero-prevalence rate of 2.4% among the pregnant women, with primigravida pregnant women recording (0.98%) and multigravida (1.42%). The prevalence of HBsAg among the pregnant women can be classified as Low Intermediate; therefore there is still the need for routine screening of pregnant women during antenatal visits. Amongst HBsAg positives, HBeAg positivity was significantly high (40% of all HBsAg positive women), which suggests high chances of carrier and vertical transmission (mother to child) state.

Prevalence and Knowledge of Hepatitis B Virus Infection among Pregnant Women in the Ningo-Prampram District, Ghana

“…However, similar studies conducted in the Volta region revealed a similar finding as observed in this study where age was a significant contributor of HBV infection among pregnant women. In fact, same studies reported that chances of women between 46 and 50 years of age becoming HBsAg carriers were high [21], further supporting the findings in this study where though not statistically significant, the computed odds ratio revealed that pregnant women aged forty years and above were 11.92 times more likely at risk of HBV infection (OR = 11:92, 95% CI = 0:5-284.30).…”

“…Though Ghana among other African countries is considered an HBV endemic area [27,28], the current study suggests that individual districts may have different prevalence rates. Comparable intermediate prevalence rates of 2.4% and 2.2% among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in the Volta Region and Yilo Krobo District, Eastern Region of Ghana, respectively, have been documented [18,21]. However, studies in other parts of Ghana recorded higher prevalence rates such as 16.7% in Kumasi [23], 10.6% in the Eastern Region [18], and 9.5% in the Asante Akim North Municipality of the Ashanti region [19].…”

“…5 International Journal of Hepatology infection [31], which may be ascribed to the institution of HBV testing in pregnant women combined with immunoglobulin prophylaxis and/or hepatitis B vaccination immediately after delivery in children born to HBsAg-positive mothers [21,30]. This law, passed in 1991, mandated the universal vaccination of infants and 12-year-old adolescents on a national scale and a mandatory screening for HBsAg of pregnant women in order to identify babies in need of treatment with hepatitis B immune globulins (HBIG) and vaccine at birth [32].…”

“…In Ghana, some studies on the prevalence of HBV infection among pregnant women have been carried out in different parts of the country with varying prevalence rates reported. These include a prevalence of 10.6% recorded in the Eastern Region of Ghana [18], 9.5% in the Asante Akim North District of the Ashanti region [19], 12.6% in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana [20], 2.4% in Ho Municipal Hospital Antenatal Clinic in the Volta region of Ghana [21], and 16.7% in Eikwe, Western Region, Ghana [22]. In a survey to assess the knowledge of attitudes and practices of hepatitis B management of pregnant women and healthcare practitioners at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana, over 20% (44 of 209) of the women were uncertain that HBV could be transmitted to their children, almost 23% (47 of 209) of them had no knowledge of how HBV could be transmitted, and more than 50% were unaware that HBV could be transmitted from a mother to her unborn child [23].…”

Prevalence of viral hepatitis B in Ghana between 2015 and 2019: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Six studies [19,27,31,35,37,40] were conducted among pregnant women with a total sample size of 5848 participants. The prevalence ranged from 2.4% to 16.7% with a pooled prevalence of 7.44% (CI; 4.71-11.55) and p<0.001 (S6 Appendix).…”