Background: Hepatitis B virus infection is a major public health problem worldwide and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection and associated factors among pregnant mothers in the Gedeo Zone, southern Ethiopia. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 479 pregnant women visiting governmental and private health facilities in the Gedeo zone from January to April 2019. We selected study participants using systematic random sampling techniques. The Eugene strip test was used to determine hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant mothers. We collected the status of HIV of the pregnant women from the records. Other variables were collected from the mothers using interviewer-administered questionnaires. We used binary and multivariable logistic regression for the analysis. An adjusted odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to determine the association between HBsAg sero-positivity and various factors. A P-value of less than .05 was considered significant. Results: This study revealed that the prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant mothers was 9.2% in Gedeo Zone. A previous history of blood transfusion [AOR = 5.2, 95% CI: 2.1, 12.5], a previous history of hospital admission [AOR = 3, 95% CI: 1.4, 6.6], a history of having an abortion [AOR = 4.1, 95 % CI: 1.5, 11.7], the age of the pregnant women [AOR = 5.1, 95 % CI: 1.5, 18.0], and their HIV status [AOR = 8.1, 95 % CI: 1.9, 36.0] had a statistically significant association with HBsAg sero-positivity. Conclusion: Hepatitis B virus infection was found to have higher endemicity (9.2%) in Gedeo Zone which is higher than the national pooled prevalence which was 4.75%. The health facilities must implement early initiation of antenatal care services which incorporate the prevention and control of HBV in the Gedeo Zone.

Background: Hepatitis B virus infection is a major public health problem worldwide which is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection and associated factors among pregnant mothers in Gedio Zone, southern Ethiopia.Methods: Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted in governmental and private health facilities in Gedeo zone from January to April 2019. The study participants were selected using stratified random sampling techniques. Eugene strip test was used to determine hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant mothers. The status of HIV was collected from the records. Other variables were collected from the mothers using interviewer administered questionnaires. Logistic regression was used for the analysis. Adjusted Odds Ratios and their 95% Confidence Interval were calculated to determine association between HBsAg Sero-positivity and various factors. A p-value less than 0.05 were considered as significant. The data was analyzed using the SPSS version 25 statistical software. Results: Prevalence of hepatitis B virus among pregnant mothers was 9.2% in Gedio Zone. Previous birth at health institution [AOR=4.4, 95% CI: 1.7, 11.2], blood transfusions [AOR=4.4, 95% CI: 1.8, 10.5], previous history of Hospital admission [AOR=3.3, 95% CI: 1.5, 7.5], ear piercing practice [AOR=5.7, 95% CI: 1.1, 29.0], current Gestational age [AOR=3.6, 95% CI: 1.2, 11.2], and HIV status of the mother [AOR=6.1, 95% CI: 1.3, 30.0] had statistical significant association with HBsAg Sero-positivity.Conclusions: Hepatitis B virus infection was found to have higher endemicity (9.2%) in the Gedio Zone. History of blood transfusion, hospital admissions, ear piercing, being HIV positive, gestational age and institutional delivery were significant predictors for HBsAg sero-positivity. Early initiation of antenatal care service that integrate awareness creation about the risks of hepatitis B infection and mother to child transmission of the disease must be implemented by the health facilities in Gedio Zone.

Background: Hepatitis B virus infection is a major public health problem worldwide which is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection and associated factors among pregnant mothers in Gedio Zone, southern Ethiopia. Methods: Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted in governmental and private health facilities in Gedeo zone from January to April 2019. The study participants were selected using stratified random sampling techniques. Eugene strip test was used to determine hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant mothers. The status of HIV was collected from the records. Other variables were collected from the mothers using interviewer administered questionnaires. Logistic regression was used for the analysis. Adjusted Odds Ratios and their 95% Confidence Interval were calculated to determine association between HBsAg Sero-positivity and various factors. A p-value less than 0.05 were considered as significant. The data was analyzed using the SPSS version 25 statistical software. Results: Prevalence of hepatitis B virus among pregnant mothers was 9.2% in Gedio Zone. Previous birth at health institution [AOR=4.4, 95% CI: 1.7, 11.2], blood transfusions [AOR=4.4, 95% CI: 1.8, 10.5], previous history of Hospital admission [AOR=3.3, 95% CI: 1.5, 7.5], ear piercing practice [AOR=5.7, 95% CI: 1.1, 29.0], current Gestational age [AOR=3.6, 95% CI: 1.2, 11.2], and HIV status of the mother [AOR=6.1, 95% CI: 1.3, 30.0] had statistical significant association with HBsAg Sero-positivity. Conclusions: Hepatitis B virus infection was found to have higher endemicity (9.2%) in the Gedio Zone. History of blood transfusion, hospital admissions, ear piercing, being HIV positive, gestational age and institutional delivery were significant predictors for HBsAg sero-positivity. Early initiation of antenatal care service that integrate awareness creation about the risks of hepatitis B infection and mother to child transmission of the disease must be implemented by the health facilities in Gedio Zone.