Awareness, Risk Factors and Prevalence of Viral Hepatitis B and C among Antenatal Attendees in Federal Medical Centre, Asaba: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the level of awareness, risk factors, and prevalence of viral hepatitis B and C among antenatal attendees at Federal Medical Centre, Asaba. Place and Duration of Study: Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta State, from June to October 2025. Methodology: This hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study involved 145 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, from June to October 2025. Ethical approval was obtained before the commencement of the study, and informed consent was secured from all participants prior to enrolment. Data on participants’ sociodemographic characteristics, level of awareness, knowledge, and possible risk factors associated with hepatitis B and C infection were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire. Approximately 3 mL of venous blood was collected aseptically from each participant and analysed for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis C virus antibodies using standard rapid diagnostic test kits. The data obtained were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics, with both descriptive and inferential statistical methods applied. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: Of the 145 pregnant women who attended the antenatal clinic, most were between 21 and 30 years old (72.4%), and almost all were married (96.6%). Awareness of hepatitis B was relatively high, with about three-quarters of participants having heard of it (75.2%), while awareness of hepatitis C was lower (58.6%). Overall, participants demonstrated a moderate understanding of how these infections are transmitted (52.4%). Healthcare professionals were the most commonly reported source of information on viral hepatitis (46.9%). Although a large proportion of the women acknowledged the importance of hepatitis B vaccination (77.9%), only a small number had received the vaccine (13.1%). Screening results showed that 2.8% of the participants tested positive for hepatitis B, while none tested positive for hepatitis C. Conclusion: The findings indicate that although awareness of viral hepatitis among pregnant women was fairly encouraging, the low uptake of hepatitis B vaccination remains a major concern. This highlights the need for stronger health education during antenatal visits, regular screening, and improved preventive measures to reduce the burden of hepatitis infections among pregnant women.