Abstract
Introduction Hepatitis virus infection is a major public health burden and silent killer disease in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses and associated factors among pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic in three tertiary hospitals in Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1121 pregnant women. Data on sociodemographic and associated factors were collected using a structured questionnaire. Serum samples were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV) using ELISA. SPSS version 20 was used for data analysis, and a multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between factors associated with hepatitis B virus and hepatitis virus C infection. Results A total of 1121 pregnant women were included in the study. The mean age of study participants was 27.2 ± 4.8 yrs. The majority of pregnant women (895 (79.8%)) were from urban areas. The overall seroprevalence of HBsAg and anti-HCV antibody was 52 (4.6%) and 18 (1.6%), respectively. The coinfection rate of HBV/HCV was 1.4% (1/69). Ten (19.2%) of HBV positive cases were coinfected with HIV. There were no coinfections of HCV and HIV. Interestingly, pregnant women with a history of multiple sexual partners (AOR = 3.2, 95% CI, 1.7–7.6), blood transfusion (AOR = 7.6, 95% CI, 2.9–16.9), family history of HBV (AOR = 3.5, 95% CI, 1.7–7.6), being HIV-positive (AOR = 2.5, 95% CI, 1–5.9), and tattooing (AOR = 2, 95% CI, 1–3.8) were significant predictors of HBV infection. Similarly, young age (17–25 yrs) (AOR = 3.2, 95% CI, 1.8–8.6) and no educational background (AOR = 5, 95 CI, 1.7–14.8) were significant predictors of HCV infection. Conclusions Hepatitis B and C viruses' infection was intermediate among pregnant women; some risk factors were significantly associated with the majority of cases. Infants born from these infected mothers are at risk of infection. This calls for screening and integration of HBV prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) into HIV. Thus, the provision of health education on hepatitis B and C viruses' transmission, vaccination, and screening of all pregnant women routinely are essential for the prevention of these viruses.
Highlights
Hepatitis virus infection is a major public health burden and silent killer disease in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia. erefore, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses and associated factors among pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic in three tertiary hospitals in Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia
Since there is a scarcity of large-scale multicenter representative studies and not easy to know the burden of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection and risk factors in the Amhara National Regional State, this study aimed to assess the magnitude of HBV and HCV infections and associated factors among first-trimester pregnant women in the Amhara National Regional State in three tertiary hospitals, Ethiopia
HBV and HCV infections are intermediate among pregnant women in the Amhara National Regional State. is finding suggests that 4.6% and 1.6% of infants born to HBV and HCV-infected pregnant women are more likely at risk of infection vertically from their mothers
Summary
Hepatitis virus infection is a major public health burden and silent killer disease in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia. erefore, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses and associated factors among pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic in three tertiary hospitals in Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia. Hepatitis virus infection is a major public health burden and silent killer disease in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia. Hepatitis B and C viruses’ infection was intermediate among pregnant women; some risk factors were significantly associated with the majority of cases. Infants born from these infected mothers are at risk of infection. Viral hepatitis is a major public health burden all over the world It is responsible for an estimated 1.4 million deaths, which is greater than the death toll of 1.2 million to that of HIV. 248 million and 150 million people have chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections which cause death for 780,000 and 350,000 per year, respectively [1]. Less than 5% of persons living with chronic viral hepatitis are aware of their status [1]. e majority of hepatitis infected individuals remain asymptomatic or apparently healthy, transmit the virus to other persons, and die of the infection without notice; it is a silent killer [4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
