Determining the Seroprevalence and Correlates of Hepatitis B Virus Infection among Pregnant Women at Primary Healthcare Facilities in Nasarawa State, Central Nigeria |Chapter 11 | Medical Science: Updates and Prospects Vol. 2

 

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection of pregnant women causes significant maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, with some strains much worse than others. HBV is transmitted through blood and body fluids. The infection causes acute or chronic liver diseases, which are a global public health concern. An estimated 257.5 million people were chronically infected worldwide in 2022, with 1.2 million new infections yearly. Its overall prevalence is around 3.2% which varies significantly by region, with the highest prevalence in the Western Pacific and African regions. Nigeria is still considered one of the highly endemic countries with an estimated prevalence of around 9.5% to 13.6% with Nasarawa State in the central region.

 

Aim: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and correlates of infection among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic (ANC) at Primary healthcare facilities in Nasarawa State, Nigeria.

 

Methodology: Three hundred and thirty-eight (338) participants were enrolled in this cross-sectional study using a systematic sampling method. Blood samples were collected by venipuncture, processed, and tested using a combo kit with five Sero-markers of HBV. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27 software was used for analysis.

 

Results: The prevention of HBV infection among pregnant women remains a major source of concern because of the risk of horizontal and vertical transmission of the disease. The findings showed the prevalence of HBV in this study was 8.3%. Only 12.7% had immune antibodies, while 0.6% showed evidence of occult HBV infection. Age group ≤ 25years (P = .03) was significantly associated with the infection. Higher prevalence was found among women who are polygamists (12.5%), Christians (8.7%), Single (20.0%), had only a primary level of education (9.5%), in Business (16.0%), and whose husbands are farmers (12.2%).

 

Conclusion: The prevalence of HBV in this study was 8.3%. The younger age group were associated with HBV infection in the study area. The low number of women with immunity raises a need to advocate for HBV screening and vaccination campaigns in Nasarawa State and Nigeria, while the presence of occult HBV infection raises concern of possible mother-to-child transmission if intervention is not provided. Enhanced HBV infection sensitisation, routine screening at ANC, early vaccination and youth-focused prevention strategy in the community are recommended. The findings in this study are limited by the absence of molecular confirmation of the results, which requires future studies.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Samuel Ebuga Emiasegen
Department of Planning, Research, Monitoring and Evaluation, Nasarawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Nigeria.

 

Grace Rinmecit Ishaku Pennap
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Nasarawa State University, Nigeria.

 

Silas Dogara Gyar
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Nasarawa State University, Nigeria.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/msup/v2/6432