Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection among Pregnant Women in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Gerardo E Guillen Nieto,Birye Dessalegn Mekonnen

doi:10.1155/2021/6615008

Abstract

Background Hepatitis C virus infection during pregnancy is associated with a high risk of maternal complications and poor birth outcomes. There are variable reports on the prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aims to estimate the pooled prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women in Ethiopia. Methods A comprehensive search of electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Web of Sciences, and Google Scholar was conducted from April 03, 2020, to May 03, 2020. The quality of included article was evaluated by the JBI. Heterogeneity between the studies was assessed using Cochrane Q and I2 test. The presence of publication bias was tested by funnel plots and Egger's test. A random-effects meta-analysis was computed to determine the pooled prevalence of HCV infection among pregnant women. Results Of 502 studies, 6 studies with a total of 2117 pregnant women were included in the meta-analysis. The overall pooled prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women in Ethiopia was 1.83% (95% CI: 0.61, 3.06). Besides, subgroup analysis revealed that the highest HCV prevalence among pregnant women was observed in Oromia region, 5.10% (95% CI: −0.53, 10.73). Conclusions This study shows an intermediate level of HCV infection among pregnant women in Ethiopia. The finding suggests the need of implementing a routine hepatitis C virus screening program for all pregnant women, which enables women to access HCV antiviral treatment to minimize vertical transmission to the newborn infants. Moreover, national and regional health programs should mandate and monitor the screening procedures so as to reduce the risk of hepatitis C virus infection.

Highlights

Hepatitis C virus infection during pregnancy is associated with a high risk of maternal complications and poor birth outcomes. ere are variable reports on the prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women in Ethiopia.erefore, this study aims to estimate the pooled prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women in Ethiopia
According to World Health Organization (WHO) global health impact report of viral hepatitis, about 130 to 150 million people were affected by chronic Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection globally, reaching endemic proportions in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
A systematic review and metaanalysis was conducted to estimate the prevalence of HCV during pregnancy in Ethiopia. is review was conducted in Ethiopia which is found in the Horn of Africa. e country covers an area of 1, 100,000 km2 and divided into 9 regions, namely, Tigray, Afar, Amhara, Oromia, Somali, Benishangul-Gumuz, Southern Nations Nationalities and People Region (SNNPR), Gambella, Harari, and two Administrative states (Addis Ababa city administration and Dire Dawa city administration)

Summary

Introduction

Ere are variable reports on the prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women in Ethiopia. Erefore, this study aims to estimate the pooled prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women in Ethiopia. A random-effects meta-analysis was computed to determine the pooled prevalence of HCV infection among pregnant women. E overall pooled prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women in Ethiopia was 1.83% (95% CI: 0.61, 3.06). Is study shows an intermediate level of HCV infection among pregnant women in Ethiopia. Hepatitis C infection is an emerging worldwide public health concern affecting millions of people each year [1, 2]. E WHO estimates, about 3–4 million peoples are infected each year with most of the cases occurring in Africa [5, 6]. In most African countries, HCV remains underdiagnosed and underreported even it is highly infectious [7]

Objectives

Methods

Results