Prevalence and associated factors of hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Agena health center, South Ethiopia, 2019: a cross sectional study

Abstract

Background; Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the world’s most common and highly contagious liver infection. Its transmission methods are: mother to child, via open wounds, sexual contact, blood transfusion and other blood contact related activities. Prevalence of HBV among pregnant women in Africa ranges from 3.67 - 16.5% and in Ethiopia 2.4 to 8.4%. Hepatitis B infection leads to high morbidity and mortality for mother as well as for their infants due to the vertical transmission. Hence assessing the prevalence and associated factors of Hepatitis B Virus infection is a priority. Methodology : An institution based cross sectional study was conducted with a total of 194 of pregnant women attending antenatal care at Agena health center from May 1-30/2019. Frequency analysis and Logistic regression test was used to determine the associated factors associated with Hepatitis B virus by using SPSS version 25. Results: The prevalence of HBV in Agena health center among pregnant women were 4.1% and it was associated with marital status, history of hospital admission and history of abortion. Conclusion : The prevalence of HBV in Agena health center among pregnant women was intermediate. Since routine screening and immunization of all pregnant women is mandatory. Key words : Hepatitis B infection, pregnant women, Agena health center

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Associated Factors Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care At Public Hospitals in Borena Zone, Southern Ethiopia

“…The odds of HBV infection were about 3 times higher among pregnant mothers who had a history of hospital admission when compared to those who had no history of hospital admission. This result is in line with the study reported from Ambo town, 44 Desie, 45 Gedeo zone, 19 Agena health center, Gurage zone, 32 West Hararghe public hospitals, 46 and Egyptian. 47 This might be due to that the hospitalized women might easily acquire the infection during a different procedure than the pregnant women who had no history of hospital admission.…”

“…The prevalence of HBV infection was nearly similar to results reported in Shone, Nekemte, Bishoftu, and Felegehiwot referral hospitals 4.9%, 27 5.8%, 28 6.5%, 18 and 4.7% 29 , respectively. The result of this study was relatively high when compared to the result reported from Addis Ababa at 3.7%, 20 7.8% Southern Ethiopia, 30 Gandhi memorial hospital at 2.3%, 31 Agena health center in the Gurage zone at 4.1%, 32 Uganda at 2.1% 33 , and Rwanda 3.1%. 34 The variation might be due to the differences in cultural practices and strategies used for infection prevention and risky behavior practices.…”