Sero-prevalence of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) amongst Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at the Federal Medical Centre Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

Despite the existence of a safe and effective vaccine, Nigeria has remained a hyper-endemic area for hepatitis B virus infection, with estimated 12% of the total population being chronic carriers. Neonates who contact hepatitis B virus infection will have an almost 90% risk of developing chronic hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carrier state and chronic liver disease. The objectives of this study were to determine the sero-prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen among pregnant women and identifying potential risk factors associated with the infection. This study involved a total of 350 pregnant women who attended antenatal at the Federal medical Centre, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria. Blood samples from all consenting pregnant women were collected. A structured <i>pro forma</i> designed for this purpose was used to obtain socio-demographic information and the presence of risk factors. Data collated was analyzed using GraphPad Prism statistical software with P<0.05 at 95% confidence interval. The results showed that HBsAg sero-prevalence rate of 7.1% was observed in all the pregnant women tested. Sero-prevalence of HBsAg amongst parturients were more in patients within their first trimesters (11.1%), Primigravida pregnant women (8.0%), women with history of dental or surgical procedures (34.0%) and multiple sexual partners (25.0%) and in women with no formal education (37.5%). An intermediate prevalence of HBsAg was identified which justifies the need for routine screening in pregnancy in order to identify and treat the infection, thus reducing the risk of transmission of the virus. Contraceptive options aimed at prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection (STI) should be encouraged.