Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B (HBsAg) Infection among Pregnant Women Attending Specialist Hospital Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Infection due to Hepatitis B virus is a serious public health problem worldwide, in spite of productive vaccine. Pregnant women infected with hepatitis B virus can transmit the infection to their fetuses and newborns. The aim of the study was to determine the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B infection among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Specialist Hospital Yola. A total of three hundred and thirteen (313) pregnant women were randomly selected for this study. Hepatitis B status was determined by the presence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). A structured questionnaire was used for the data collection. Sera from volunteers were collected and tested for hepatitis B surface antigen. Seroprevalence was determined based on age group, educational level, occupation, marital status, religion and history of blood transfusion. The seroprevalence of HBsAg among consented antenatal attendees was 17(5.43%). The study found highest seroprevalence of HBsAg among the pregnant women in the age bracket 26-35 years 52.94%, 52.94% in women with primary school education, 41.18% among the unemployed, 94.12% among the married women, 70.59% among Muslim women, and 76.47% among women that had blood transfusion. The study also revealed that there is a significant relationship between HBsAg and (educational level, marital status) of the study participants (P < 0.05). The Seroprevalence of HBsAg among antenatal attendees at Specialist Hospital Yola, Nigeria, is on the high side. Therefore, early screening of pregnant women for hepatitis at antenatal clinic, would contribute greatly to the timely management of the disease and will prevent possible transmission to their neonates.