PREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS B VIRUS AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN ADEN CITY-YEMEN
Mohammed A. A. Al-Baghdadi*
ABSTRACT
Background: Viral hepatitis during pregnancy is associated with a high risk of maternal complications. Screening for Hepatitis B during pregnancy may help to decide on appropriate antiviral therapy and the institutions to minimize vertical transmission to the newborn infants. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during the study period from 12th January to 12th April 2018, a total of 230 pregnant mothers attended the Maternal-Child Health Care at Aden city-Yemen were enrolled in the study. The OnSite HBV 5-Parameter Rapid Test is a chromatographic immunoassay for the qualitative detection of HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBeAb, and HBcAb in human serum or plasma. It was intended to be used as a screening test and as an aid in the diagnosis of infection with HBV. Structured questionnaires were used to obtain sociodemographic, obstetrics and medical data (age, education levels, Gestational age, Parity, history of miscarriage, blood transfusion, surgery, Circumcision, dental manipulation and traditional scar) and venous blood was collected and sera was tested for HBV-markers. Results: Of the 230 pregnant women enrolled in the study, HBsAg was detected in 25(10.9%) women, HBeAg, HBsAb, HBeAb and HBcAb were detected in (0%, 21.7%, 1.7% and 11.7%), respectively. Univariate analysis and Chi squire test showed that blood transfusion, surgical manipulation and circumcision was significantly associated with HBsAg seropositivity (0.000, 0.000 and 0.004), respectively, the parity and the education level were significantly associated with HBsAg seropositivity (0.03 and 0.000), respectively by Univariate analysis. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that HBsAg have high prevalence among pregnant women in Aden city.
Keywords: Hepatitis B virus surface antigen, Prevalence, Pregnant women, Aden.
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