Abstract
IntroductionGlobally, approximately 350-400 million persons are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV), over 65 million of whom are in Africa. One in four people with chronic hepatitis B develop serious health problems. Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) is responsible for more than half of chronic infections. If infected at birth, a child has a 90% chance of becoming a chronic carrier. We evaluated hepatitis B virus prevalence and risk factors for infection among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in West Hararghe public hospitals, Oromia region, Ethiopia.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study among 363 pregnant women at routine antenatal clinic visits in West Hararghe public hospitals from April-May, 2017. We used systematic random sampling method to enroll participants. We used a structured questionnaire to collect information on risk factors, and collected blood samples to test for hepatitis B Virus surface antigen (HBsAg) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Data were entered using EpiData Version.3.1 and exported to SPSS Version 23.0 for descriptive analyses and binary logistic regressionResultsThe overall seroprevalence of HBsAg among participants was 6.1% (95% CI 3.9-8.5). History of abortion (aOR=4.3, 95% CI 1.3-15.0), traditional tonsillectomy (tonsillectomy conducted by an untrained practitioner) (aOR=4.4, 95% CI 1.1-17.8), admission to a health facility (aOR=4.4, 95% CI 1.2-16.9), multiple sexual partners (aOR=6.3, 95% CI 1.7-23.4) and familial liver disease (aOR=8.2, 95% CI 2.1-32.8) were associated with hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women.ConclusionThe prevalence of hepatitis B virus in study area indicates a high-intermediate level epidemic. Multiple types of healthcare, as well classic risk factors such as multiple sex partners and a family history of liver disease increased the odds of infection. Hygiene promotion and infection prevention methods in healthcare settings are recommended to avoid nosocomial infections. To reduce MTCT, we recommended screening all pregnant women for hepatitis B virus as part of routine antenatal care and supportive treatment and making available methods of preventing infection at birth, including prophylaxis and birth dose vaccine.
Highlights
Hepatitis B is a potentially life-threatening liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) [1]
Children born to hepatitis B surface antigen-positive (HBsAg+) and hepatitis B envelope antigen-positive (HBeAg+) mothers have a 70-90% chance of prenatal acquisition of HBV infection and 85-90% of them will become chronic carriers of the disease
We investigated the burden and risk factors for hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women in Eastern Oromia region, Ethiopia
Summary
Hepatitis B is a potentially life-threatening liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) [1]. Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) accounts for more than half of chronic HBV infection worldwide, despite an existing immunoprophylaxis regimen [4]. Viral hepatitis during pregnancy is associated with a high risk of maternal complications and maternal mortality. The World Health Organization recommends screening pregnant women for infection, providing monovalent HBV vaccination and hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIg) to neonates within 24 hours of birth and decreasing viral replication with antiretroviral therapy for pregnant women [1, 5]. We aimed to determine seroprevalence of hepatitis B infection and its associated risk factors among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in West Hararghe Zone public hospitals, Oromia region, Ethiopia
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
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 call