Frequency and the risk factors of hepatitis C virus in pregnant women; A hospital based descriptive study in Gadap Town Karachi

Abstract Background Rates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among women of childbearing age have increased as a result of the opioid epidemic, especially in the nonurban white population. Recently updated US Preventative Services Task Force and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance have recommended universal HCV screening during pregnancy, but obstetrics societies have not yet endorsed this recommendation. We evaluated the seroprevalence of HCV among pregnant women in an inner-city population, compared rates with other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) screened for during pregnancy, and evaluated factors associated with HCV positivity. Methods We performed a prospective seroprevalence study of consecutive labor and delivery admissions (both antepartum complications and delivery admissions) by testing serum samples for HCV antibody over 9 months at 2 major hospital settings in New York City. Results Fifty-six of 7373 (0.75%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.57–0.98) patients screened positive for HCV, with 28 of 4013 (0.70%; 95% CI, 0.46%–1.01%) and 28 of 3413 (0.82%; 95% CI, 0.55%–1.18%) at each hospital. Forty-one percent of HCV-positive patients had any reported HCV risk factors. Hepatitis C virus-positive patients were less likely to have private insurance and more likely to have a history of cannabis, cocaine, and injection drug use (P < .001). The HCV rates were higher among antepartum admissions compared with delivery admissions and higher than that of hepatitis B virus (0.65%; 95% CI, 0.48–0.86), human immunodeficiency virus (0.27%; 95% CI, 0.16–0.42), and syphilis (0.16%; 95% CI, 0.08–0.28). Conclusions We found a higher than expected HCV seroprevalence among pregnant women and higher than most other STIs routinely screened for in pregnancy. Most patients had no risk factors. These findings support universal screening for hepatitis C during pregnancy.

Download Full-text

Seroepidemiology of Hepatitis B and C Virus Infections among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in Selected Health Facilities in East Wollega Zone, West Oromia, Ethiopia

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2018/4792584 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Regea Dabsu ◽

Eyasu Ejeta

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Hepatitis C Virus ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Hepatitis B Virus ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Antenatal Care ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Virus Infections ◽

Care Services ◽

B Virus

Background. Hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infections are a public health problem worldwide. It is highly endemic in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Horizontal and perinatal transmissions are thought to be the major modes of transmission in these countries. Objective. This study aimed to investigate the seroepidemiology and possible risk factors for hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics. Methods. A cross-sectional study design was conducted from July to September 2014 among 421 pregnant women attending antenatal care services in randomly selected health facilities, East Wollega Zone, West Oromia, Ethiopia. Blood sample was collected from each woman and separated serum was tested for the presence of markers. A prestructured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic data and risk factors. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS 20.0 statistical software. Odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were used as measures of the strength of association. Result. The overall prevalence of HBsAg was 2.4% ranging from 0.0% to 5.2%. It was the highest in Sire Health Center and the lowest/nil in others. The prevalence of HCV ranged from 6.7% to 20% with an average of 8.07% in this study area where it was highest in the Getema Health Center Antenatal Care Attendants. Only address (p=0.020) and area of the health institution (p=0.021) are significantly the associated factors for HBsAg and serostatus of HCV, respectively. Conclusion. The prevalence of HBsAg carrier rate of pregnant women in the study area falls within the medium endemic prevalence and HCV prevalence was higher than HBsAg. Study participants who were from urban areas were significantly affected with HBV while study institution affects the prevalence of HCV infection so that initiating screening tests during follow up period for antenatal care services is mandatory.

Download Full-text

A prospective study of demographic profile, risk factors and pregnancy outcome in Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C virus positive pregnant women in a tertiary care centre

International Journal of Reproduction Contraception Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20202317 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 2393

Author(s):

Arti Sharma ◽

Shubhra Agarwal ◽

Garima Bajpai ◽

Anupriya Singh ◽

Nikita Agarwal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Hepatitis C Virus ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Drug Abuse ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Pregnancy Outcome ◽

Intravenous Drug ◽

Intravenous Drug Abuse ◽

In Pregnancy

Background: Viral hepatitis is the most common liver disease in pregnancy and is also the most common cause of jaundice in pregnancy in tropical countries. Risk factors for transmission are intravenous drug abuse, surgical and dental procedures done without adequate sterilization of instruments, sexual route etc. Early diagnosis and management can prevent maternal and fetal complications. This study was done to evaluate the frequency, risk factors and pregnancy outcome in hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) positive antenatal women.Methods: This case control study was conducted in Teerthankar Mahaveer Medical College and Research Centre, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India from January 2017 to June 2018 on total 2511 pregnant women. The serum samples were checked for presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and presence of IgG antibodies to HCV. Analysis of sociodemographic profile, risk factors and pregnancy outcome were done in all HBV and HCV positive women.Results: Out of 2511 pregnant women, 292 were tested positive for hepatitis. Maximum number of women were in the age group of 21-30 years. Most of the seropositive women were multipara. Frequency of positivity was maximum for HCV (67.1%). The risk factors for transmission in study population were intravenous drug abuse, blood transfusion, history of surgery and tattooing.Conclusions: Hepatitis infection rate is increasing. Universal screening for HBV and HCV can be recommended in pregnant women in developing countries. Education and awareness of public and health care workers can reduce the risk of transmission.

Download Full-text

Hepatitis C Virus Antibody Screening in a Cohort of Pregnant Women: Identifying Seroprevalence and Risk Factors

Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.1097/aog.0000000000004031 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 136 (2) ◽

pp. 427-427

Author(s):

Robert S. Egerman ◽

Tony S. Wen

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Hepatitis C Virus ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Virus Antibody ◽

Antibody Screening ◽

Hepatitis C Virus Antibody

Download Full-text

Seroprevalence and risk factors for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in pregnant women attending public sector tertiary care hospital in Hyderabad Sindh

Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.12669/pjms.292.3211 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 29 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Seema Bibi ◽

Saira Dars ◽

Sanober Ashfaq ◽

Roshan Ara Qazi ◽

Sadaf Akhund

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Hepatitis C Virus ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Public Sector ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Tertiary Care Hospital ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Hcv Infection ◽

Care Hospital

Download Full-text

Hepatitis C Virus in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review of the Literature

American Journal of Perinatology ◽

10.1055/s-0040-1709672 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Alexandra Andes ◽

Kerry Ellenberg ◽

Amanda Vakos ◽

James Collins ◽

Kimberly Fryer

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Hepatitis C Virus ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Universal Screening ◽

Demographic Characteristics ◽

Hcv Infection ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

In Pregnancy

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature to summarize recent demographic characteristics of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection during pregnancy and the efficacy of risk-based versus universal screening. Study Design PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched to identify relevant studies. Studies that recognized hepatitis C as a primary or secondary outcome, with pregnant women as the population and written in English, were included. Studies were excluded if they were abstracts only, written in foreign language, or published prior to 1992. Two researchers independently screened all the studies by titles, abstracts, and full text. Conflicts were settled by a third researcher. Results A total of 698 studies were identified with 78 fitting inclusion criteria. In total, 69 epidemiologic and 9 comparison studies were found. Identified risk factors for HCV infection include intravenous or illicit drug use, sexually transmitted coinfection, high-risk behaviors in the partners, high parity, and history of miscarriages or abortions. Demographic characteristics associated with HCV include non-Hispanic white race, American Indian or Alaskan Native ethnicity, and increasing age. Providers may fail to adequately screen for each risk factor, and up to two-thirds of women with a known risk factor are not screened under current guidelines. Finally, up to 27% of HCV+ women have no identifiable risk factors for infection. Conclusion There is evidence that risk-based screening fails to identify a large proportion of HCV positive women in pregnancy and that pregnant women with HCV risk factors and consistent with current screening guidelines fail to be tested. We urge for the adoption of universal screening to identify these women and offer treatment.

Download Full-text