Prevalence of HBsAg and knowledge about hepatitis B in pregnancy in the Buea Health District, Cameroon: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough infection with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) remains a global public health problem, little is known about its epidemiology in pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa. This study sought to determine the prevalence of, and identify factors associated with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity among pregnant women in the Buea Health District (BHD) in rural Cameroon. We also assessed pregnant women’s knowledge about hepatitis B.MethodsA cross-sectional, descriptive study was undertaken. Participants were evaluated using a structured questionnaire with clinical examination and were then screened for HBsAg using a commercial rapid diagnostic test. Assessment of knowledge was done using a hepatitis B basic knowledge summary score.ResultsOf the 176 pregnant women studied, 9.7% (95% CI: 5.7%, 15%) tested positive for HBsAg. None of the risk factors assessed was significantly associated with HBsAg positivity. The hepatitis B knowledge summary score ranged from 0 to 12 with a mean of 1.5 (SD = 3.14, median = 0, IQR = 0 to 0). Only 16% of participants had scores greater than 6/12. The knowledge summary score of the participants was associated with the educational level (p-value = 0.0037).ConclusionThe high prevalence of HBsAg (9.7%) among women of child bearing age suggests that vertical transmission of HBV may be a public health problem in Buea Health District. Knowledge of HBV among pregnant women was poor. We recommend that all pregnant women ought to be routinely screened for HBV and that health education on HBV should be provided to pregnant women especially during antenatal visits.

Sociodemographic and seroprevalence profile of sexually transmitted infections (HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and Syphilis) in asymptomatic pregnant females

“…Rashid et al and Frambo et al also observed multiple sex partners as risk factors for STIs in 39.35% and 98.2% respectively in their studies. 17,18 68.44% seropositive females were aware of STI/RTI services and 57.33% had positive attitude for utilizing STI/RTI services in present study. Sandgren et al and Maimaiti et al reported 96% and 87% awareness with 45% and 53% pregnant females having positive attitude towards utilization of STI/RTI services respectively.…”

Prevalence and vaccination coverage of Hepatitis B among healthcare workers in Cameroon: A national seroprevalence survey

“…Frambo et al reported a prevalence of 9.7% among pregnant women, and Noubiap et al reported a prevalence of 10.1% in blood donors. 910 Despite the importance of the problem, most studies on HCWs are done on small samples sizes. A recent systematic review of the seroprevalence of HBV infection in Cameroon found only four relevant studies on HCWs, and none of them covered all regions of the country.…”

Evidence of Co and Triple Infections of Hepatitis B and C Amongst HIV Infected Pregnant Women in Buea, Cameroon

“…However, other studies reporting on the prevalence of HBsAg among HIV-infected patients have described a HBsAg prevalence rate varying from 5.4% to 6.0% among pregnant women in rural settings and from 7.0% to 12.5% in urban settings [4][5][6][7]. The high HBsAg rate in urban settings could be a result of improved laboratory facilities, increased awareness and perhaps success in the implementation of systematic HBV screening of pregnant women in PMTCT program whose implementation in the rural areas is below 2% [7][8][9].…”

“…Little is known about HIV, HBV and HCV triple infections. The rate of co-infections and triple infections in HIV, HBV and HCV patients varies worldwide and depends on the different geographic regions, risk groups and exposure involved [7][8][9][10][11]. The presence of co-and or triple infections of these viruses are of major public health concern, owed to their high morbidity and mortality rate [12][13].…”