Prevalence And Risk Factors Of Hepatitis B Virus Infection Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic At Lira Regional Referral Hospital.

Abstract

Background: the most common cause of serious liver infection is hepatitis B. Contact with an infected person during childbirth and various horizontal modes of transmission, such as sexual exposure with an infected person or direct contact with an infected person’s blood, are all factors that raise the chance of HBV infection.

Objectives: the major aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of HBV infection, associated and other risk factors among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Lira regional referral hospital. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on pregnant women in lira regional referral hospital between the month of October and November 2021. Study participants were selected using simple random sampling particularly systematic sampling technique and a total of 160 pregnant women were included. Socio-demographic data and exposure to associated and other factors (number of Sexual partners, history of hospital admission and hepatitis B positive family member history. inability to vaccinate against HBV, inadequate health education on HBV and lack of HBV screening services.) were collected through a structured questionnaire. Two milliliters of blood were collected from each study participant. Serum level hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) were detected using HbsAg rapid diagnostic test kit. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20.To declare the presence of association odds ratio with 95% confidence interval and P value <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Result: A total of 160 pregnant women with the mean age of 25 years were enrolled. The prevalence of HbsAg among the participants was 8.7% with 95% confidence interval (6.52, 10.98). Statistically significant association for HbsAg infection was observed for Hepatitis B positive family history p=0.032, COR- 3.771(1.045-13.615), AOR- 1.962 (0.472-8.159) and hospital admission history p=0.001, COR- 7.259 (1.935-27.226), AOR- 6.436 (1.567- 26.433). Conclusion and recommendations: an intermediate prevalence of HbsAg infection, which was an important public health problem was detected. Therefore implementing strategies for routine mandatory screening and care of pregnant women for hepatitis B would be important. Further, health education modes of transmission and precautions such as immunization of HBV has to be strengthened. Keywords: hepatitis B virus, Risk factors, HbsAg, pregnant women.