Prevalence and Risk Factors of Hepatitis C Viral Infection Among Pregnant Women at a Tertiary Institution in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Hepatitis C viral infection is a blood borne disease caused by Hepatitis C virus (HCV). It is significantly associated with morbidities and mortalities in men and women. Infection mostly occurs via contact with blood from transfusion of unscreened blood as well as blood products, illicit parenteral drug use (sharing of injection needles), unsafe health care and injection practices. Women who are pregnant and their unborn babies and infants are among the group of people less commonly talked about when the disease burden of HCV is being discussed in Nigeria. This study therefore aimed to ascertain the prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among the pregnant women as well as the risk factors associated with the acquisition of the infection. Four hundred consenting antenatal attendees at the Lagos Island Maternity hospital, Nigeria were recruited and their blood samples were taken for analysis. A pretested and validated semi structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on risk factors for Hepatitis C Virus infection and socio demographic characteristic of participants. Univariate analysis was performed to obtain proportions and frequencies. In order to uncover additional risk variables for HCV infection, bivariate data analysis was carried out. Chi-square test was performed to assess statistical significance which was assumed at 0.05%. The mean age of the study subjects were 30.6 years with a standard deviation of ± 5.0 years. Majority of the study subjects 133 (33.2%) were in the age group of 30-34, most of them 238 (59.5%) had tertiary education, 396 (99.0%) were married, 110 (27.5%) were traders and 329 (82.3%) were of monogamous family setting. There was an overall sero-prevalence of 1.5% among the pregnant women with a higher prevalence of 1.25% among pregnant women who had more than one delivery (multiparous women) and 0.25% among pregnant women who had no previous delivery (nulliparous women). The risk factors that were significantly associated with the transmission of HCV infection included “Tattoo/Scarification (P=0.002) and “sharing of sharps and needles” (P=0.015). There is the need for effective public education on the ways of spread of HCV virus, practice of universal precautionary measures, adequate sterilization of instruments, appropriate use of injections, safe disposal of waste and sharps and avoidance of other high risk behavior that may lead to HCV infection. A more lager studies on the epidemiology of HCV infection is needed to inform health policy makers on strategies for prevention, screening, control and treatment of HCV infection.