Abstract
Background: In Cameroon, prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is high and varies from different places in general population and vulnerable persons such as pregnant women. We performed this survey to determine seroprevalence of HBV using HBV-5 Rapid panel test and associated factors amongst pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) in Garoua. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from February, 15th to April, 15th, 2016 amongst 102 pregnant women attending ANC in city of Garoua. Data were obtained using a structured questionnaire by interview. The blood samples were collected and tested by the immuno-chromatographic panel method (OnSite HBV-5 Rapid Panel Test) for the detection of HBV biomarkers. Statistical analyses were performed by EPI InfoTM version 7 software, with P<0.05 considered significant. Results: Overall seroprevalence of HBV (HBsAg) was 10.78% (11/102) and the other HBV biomarkers were 15.68% (16/102), 9.80 (10/102) and 26.47% (27/102) for anti-HBsAb, anti-HBeAb and total anti-HBcAb respectively. According to general information, marital status (P=0.001) was statistically associated with HBsAg seroprevalence. Bivariate analysis logistic regression recorded that, scarification (OR= 30.10; 95% CI 6.55-138.15; P=0.00000) and piercing or tattoo (OR= 11.80; 95% CI 2.77-50.18; P=0.00008) were statistically associated with seroprevalence of HBsAg. Conclusion: Seroprevalence of HBV biomarkers is high amongst pregnant women attending ANC in Garoua. Associated factors such as scarification and piercing or tattoo were associated with HBV infection. The awareness of pregnant women about vaccination in routine against HBV were necessary to prevent the transmission of Mother-to-Child Transmission (MTCT).
Highlights
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is an important worldwide public health problem and known to cause chronic hepatitis with high risk of death subsequent after cirrhosis and primary liver cancer
Babies born to mothers who are positive for both HBsAg and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) are at a higher risk of acquiring infection than those born to HBsAg-positive mothers who have lost the HBeAg (5–30% in Asia and 5% in Africa) [8]-[10]
The result obtained may explicated through small rate (15.68% [16/102]) of pregnant women who were vaccinated, the higher rate (26.47% [27/102]) of those who have previous contact with hepatitis B virus and the knowledge about HBV-infection because fifty percent of study participants have no information about HBV
Summary
HBV is an important worldwide public health problem and known to cause chronic hepatitis with high risk of death subsequent after cirrhosis and primary liver cancer. An estimated in 2015, 257 million persons were living with chronic HBV infection worldwide [1]-[3]. Babies born to untreated HBV-infected mothers can acquire infection from the mother, commonly during birth [6]. Several pregnant women living in SSA are infected with or exposed to HBV that can be transmitted vertically to its new-borns [7]. In Cameroon, prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is high and varies from different places in general population and vulnerable persons such as pregnant women. We performed this survey to determine seroprevalence of HBV using HBV-5 Rapid panel test and associated factors amongst pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) in Garoua
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