A study of HBV infection and its risk factors in pregnant women in Zakho city, Iraq

Abstract

Background Despite vaccine and antiviral treatment availability, hepatitis B virus (HBV) continues to circulate among pregnant women in Iraq. HBV spread is due to many factors. This study evaluated HBV prevalence among pregnant women and Syrian refugees residing in Zakho city, Iraq, and identified risk factors associated with infection. Materials and methods Demographic data were collected from 2,054 pregnant women via a questionnaire assessing risk factors associated with HBV infection. Blood samples were collected for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and were screened using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Tests revealed that 1.1% of pregnant women in Zakho and 11.3% of Syrian refugees (p = 0.001) were positive for HBsAg. The average age of HBsAg-positive patients was 31.4286 ± 6.6746 years (p = 0.002). Average rates of parity and abortion in HBV-infected subjects were 3.5 ± 2.6874 and 0.1785 ± 0.5479, respectively (p = 0.044 and 0.012, respectively). The following were identified as associated risk factors for HBV infection: nationality, (Zakho versus the city centre), tattoos, and polygamy (p = 0.001, 0.03, 0.007, and 0.001, respectively). No significant associations between HBV prevalence and blood transfusion, prior injection history, dental procedures, or surgical procedures were found. Conclusion The prevalence of HBV infection among Syrian refugees was higher than that of indigenous participants. Several risk factors were significantly associated with HBV positivity, which may facilitate effective preventive program implementation and decrease mother-to-child transmission risk. This will likely reduce infant and childhood HBV chronicity, and mortality rates.

The changing epidemiology of delta hepatitis in Türkiye over three decades: A systematic review

“…In the last decade, Türkiye has hosted more than 3.6 million Syrian refugees 127 . Although a study from Iraq reported high (11.3%) of HBsAg‐positive pregnant women among Syrian refugees, 128 the studies among Syrian refugees in Türkiye reported HBV prevalence similar to 129 or even lower 130 than indigenous population. Although large‐scale studies are lacking, there is no evidence that Syrian refugees contributed to HBV and/or HDV prevalence.…”

“…In the last decade, Türkiye has hosted more than 3.6 million Syrian refugees. 127 Although a study from Iraq reported high (11.3%) of HBsAg-positive pregnant women among Syrian refugees, 128 prevalence similar to 129 or even lower 130 than indigenous population.…”

Role of increased IGFBP2 in trophoblast cell proliferation and recurrent spontaneous abortion development: A pilot study

“…Repeated miscarriages have a huge impact not only on the psychological well‐being of individuals and their families but also on national health care systems and economic development. Recently, many reasons have been reported to induce spontaneous abortion, for example, fetal chromosomal abnormalities, alcohol consumption, smoking, cocaine use, fatigue, the number of pregnancies, age at primary birth and age at the last pregnancy, and some diseases including diabetes, celiac disease, autoimmune conditions, cervicitis, vaginitis, uterine congenital anomalies, uterine leiomyoma, intrauterine adhesions, HIV infection, hepatitis B virus infection, merkel cell polyomavirus infection, syphilis, and malaria (Alves & Rapp, 2023 ; Griebel et al., 2005 ; Hu et al., 2018 ; Khalid et al., 2022 ; Mazziotta et al., 2021 ). In addition, environmental risk factors such as arsenic, lead, and organic solvents exposure are associated to spontaneous abortion (Alves & Rapp, 2023 ; Griebel et al., 2005 ).…”

Hepatitis B vaccination status and knowledge, attitude, and practice towards Hepatitis B virus among medical sciences students: A cross-sectional study

“…Lack of education about the knowledge of Hepatitis B virus aids in increasing the disease. There are also high-risk factors in Duhok City, including drug users sharing contaminated needles, sexual encounters with infected people, and healthcare staff [ 10 , 11 ].…”