Abstract
Background: Hepatitis B is a potentially life-threatening liver infection and a major global health problem. It causes chronic infection and puts people at high risk of death from cirrhosis and liver cancer. WHO estimated 257 million people are living with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and in 2015 alone HBV resulted in to 887,000 deaths globally. We determined the prevalence and associated factors of hepatitis B virus infection among Antenatal Care (ANC) attendees in Gamawa Local Government Area, Bauchi State.
Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional, health facility-based study between March and April 2018. We used systematic random sampling technique to recruit 210 pregnant women aged 15-49 years. With a structured questionnaire, we interviewed the respondents and collected blood sample to test for hepatitis B surface antigen. We calculated frequencies, means, proportions, and tested for associations using Epi Info 7.2 and Microsoft Excel.
Results: The mean age of respondents was 24.5 ± 6.0 years; 53.3% of whom were younger than 25 years. All were married, 87.1% had no formal education and up to 90.5% were employed. Overall, 6.7% tested positive for HBsAg; women aged ≥35 years had the highest prevalence (10.5%). None with tertiary education tested positive and women married before 18 years had 6.5% prevalence.
Conclusions: The prevalence of HBsAg among pregnant women in Gamawa LGA was 6.7% which is quite lower than the national prevalence reported. We recommended improved surveillance of HBV infection and screening of women attending ANC.
Keywords: Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis B Surface antigen, Prevalence, Pregnancy, Health facilities, Hepatitis B
Factors Associated with Under Utilization of Intermittent Preventive Treatment Using Sulfadoxine - Pyrimethamine among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in Gusau District of Gusau Local Government Area, Zamfara State of Nigeria
