Sero-Epidemiology of Human Immunodeficency Virus, Hepatitis B and C among Pregnant Women in Rural Communities of Abaji Area Council, Nigeria

Abstract

AIM: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection continues to be a major public health problem worldwide and most especially in sub Saharan Africa .It has been reported that the highest burden of HIV is located in this region. HIV is particularly significant in their ability of transferred from mother to their newborn. Hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) is recently been recognized also as a cause of mortality and morbidity in pregnant women in many obstetric centers worldwide. In view of the deleterious nature of these infections and paucity of reports on their prevalence among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in rural settings in Nigeria, This study thus aimed to evaluate using serological techniques, the prevalence of HIV, HBV and anti-HCV antibodies among pregnant women attending the General Hospital, Abaji from various rural communities of Abaji local Area Council, of the federal capital city, Nigeria. METHOD: The study was a hospital based cross-sectional survey including 395 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of the General Hospital, Abaji, from 1st April 2010- 30th March 2011. Questionnaires administered by a nursing staff were used to gather information on bio-data, socio-economic and demographic status. Rapid diagnostic test kits were used to screen for HIV, HBV and anti-HCV antibodies. Statistical analysis was carried out using the SPSS software version 16. RESULTS: 23(5.8%), 45 (11.4%) and 12 (3.0%) out of 395 pregnant women included in the study were found to be positive for Serum antibodies to HIV, HBV and HCV respectively. The age group 22-26 was the most infected and showed highest seropositivity to all serological markers. History of sexually transmitted diseases (STI) (p