Seroprevalence of HBsAg//HIV among Pregnant Women Attending State Hosiptal Antenatal Clinic, Ijebu-Ode

Abstract

The rate of HBV and HIV infections in developing countries is alarming and may contribute to infant mortality. Therefore, there is a need to examine the prevalence of both infections among pregnant women, with an aim to determine the seroprevalence of HBV and HIV and rate of co - infection among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at State Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria. From 489 women attending antenatal clinic, individual serum was obtained and screened for HBV and HIV antibodies respectively using chromatographic immunoassay. Bio data, occupation, living conditions and parity was obtained using structured questionnaire. A total of 489 pregnant women within age 15 – 39-year-old were screened, HBV infection recorded 33 (6.7%) while HIV was 20 (4.1%). The duo was higher among 20 - 24 years age group: HBV 13(10.4%) and HIV 9 (7.2%), and co-infection was 2 (0.004%). The incident of infections was higher among the artisans: HBV 20 (8.0%) and HIV 9 (3.6%) than others categories in relation about occupation. Increased frequency of HBV and HIV infections among pregnant women is alarming public health issues and should be given proper attention. The prevalence of the duo infections may be culpable in infant mortality, and complication following child birth for the mothers. Therefore, pregnant women should be screened for both HBV and HIV infections during antenatal care. Enlightenment campaign on the routes, modes of transmission and control measures should be step-up at antenatal clinics across the board.