Serological Status of Hepatitis B Virus Among Pregnant Women in the Mifi District (West Cameroon)

Abstract

<i>Introduction</i>: Mother-to-child transmission is a major route of hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission, particularly in highly endemic areas. The aim of our work was to determine the extent of HBV serological markers in pregnant women in the Mifi district (West Cameroon). <i>Method</i>: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study over a period of two months from 01 August to 02 October 2022. For the search for serological markers, we used immuno-chromatographic tests [HBV 5-in-1 Hepatitis B Virus markers Rapid Test Panel (serum/plasma), China, 2022] and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays [Hepatitis B Virus surface Antigen (HBsAg) ELISA Test Kit, lot: HBSG37310B, China, 2022], both of which are from HIGHTOP. The markers investigated by the immuno-chromatographic tests were HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBeAb, and HBcAb. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the degree of association with HBsAg carriage at the 5% significance level. <i>Results</i>: A total of 109 pregnant women were enrolled in the present study, the mean age was 26.89 ± 6 years with a range of 16 to 42 years. The following serological profiles were obtained in 27 (24.77%) participants and distributed as follows 19% (5/27) of the pregnant women were surface antigen positive (AgHbs +; AcHbc +); 37% (10/27) had been in contact with the virus in the past and were cured (AcHbs +; AcHbc +), 7% (2/27) had been vaccinated against hepatitis B virus (AgHBs -; Ac Hbs +; Ac anti Hbc -) and 37% (10/27) were in contact with the virus (AcHbc +). Logistic regression analyses revealed no association between socio-demographic variables and HBsAg carriage. <i>Conclusion</i>: In sum, the present work resulted in a prevalence of HBsAg of 4.59% (5/50); with an estimated marker positivity of 11% (12/50); 22.94% (25/50); 7.34% (8/50) and 0% for HBsAg, cAbAg, HBeAg and HBeAg respectively. Furthermore, no socio-demographic variables showed an association with HBsAg carriage.