Abstract
BackgroundScreening for Hepatitis B and C during pregnancy may help to decide on appropriate antiviral therapy and the institution of steps to minimize vertical transmission to the newborn infants.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted during November–December 2011 to investigate the seroprevalence and associated risk factors for markers of HBV (hepatitis B surface antigen; HBsAg) and anti-HCV antibody among pregnant women at the Al-Thawra hospital in Sana’a, Yemen. Structured questionnaires were used to obtain sociodemographic obstetrics and medical data and sera were tested for HBsAg and anti-HCV.ResultsOf the 400 pregnant women enrolled in the study, HBsAg and anti-HCV were detected in 43 (10.8%; 95% CI: 8.0–14.0%) and 34 (8.5%, 95% CI: 6.0–11.5%) women, respectively. None of the women were co-infected with HBV and HCV. Multivariate analysis showed that circumcision was significantly associated with HBsAg seropositivity (OR = 3.3, 95% CI: 1.1–10.2; p = 0.03), low parity (primigravidae and secundigravidae) and education below secondary level were significantly associated with anti- HCV seropositivity (OR = 3.3, 95% CI: 1.1–10.2; p = 0.03). No other sociodemographic or clinical characteristics (age, residence, history of home delivery, miscarriage, dental manipulation, surgery, and blood transfusion) were significantly associated with HBsAg or anti-HCV seropositivity.ConclusionThe results of this study suggest that HBsAg and anti-HCV have high prevalence among pregnant women.
Highlights
Screening for Hepatitis B and C during pregnancy may help to decide on appropriate antiviral therapy and the institution of steps to minimize vertical transmission to the newborn infants
Developing countries have a high incidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections [1,2], a fact that might partially be explained by non-adherence to known universal infection control procedures [3]
hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV seroprevalence Among the 400 pregnant women enrolled in the study, HBsAg and anti-HCV was detected in 43 (10.8%; 95% CI: 8.0–14.0%) and 34 (8.5%, 95% CI: 6.0–11.5%), respectively
Summary
Screening for Hepatitis B and C during pregnancy may help to decide on appropriate antiviral therapy and the institution of steps to minimize vertical transmission to the newborn infants. Women with hepatitis have an increased risk for complications during pregnancy [4]. In Yemen, previous reports indicate that hepatitis B is hyperendemic and infection with HBV and HCV is an important cause of chronic liver disease [5]. Investigating seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV antibody in pregnancy in different settings is needed to prevent vertical transmission. Seroprevalence of these infections among pregnant women may be a good indicator of general population prevalence and a determinant of vaccination policy [6,7].
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