Prevalence of HIV and hepatitis B virus among pregnant women in Luanda (Angola): geospatial distribution and its association with socio-demographic and clinical-obstetric determinants

Abstract

Background HIV and HBV infections remain responsible for high rate of morbidity and mortality in many African Countries, affecting women and newborns. This study aims to analyze the spatial pattern of HIV and HBV infections in pregnant women in Luanda, Angola, and the statistical association between HIV and HBV and socio-economic characteristics, hygiene, and health status. Methods Detection of anti-HIV antibodies (total anti-HIV-1, anti-HIV-2 and HIV-1 p24 antigen) and Hepatitis B antigens (HBsAg, HBeAg) and antibodies (anti-HBc Total II, HBc IgM, Anti-HBsT II) was performed by Enzyme Linked Fluorescent Assay (ELFA) in serum samples of 878 pregnant women attended at the Lucrecia Paim Maternity Hospital (LPMH). Data were collected by questionnaire after written consent, and spatial distribution was assessed through a Kernel Density Function. The potential risk factors associated with HIV HBV infection were evaluated using bivariate and multivariate binomial logistic regression analysis. Results Anti-HIV antibodies were positive in 118 samples (13.4%) and HBV infection were positive in 226 (25.7%). The seroprevalence of HIV/HBV coinfection was of 6.3%. The results showed that the seroprevalence of HBV was similar in most municipalities: 25.8% in Belas; 26.6% in Viana; 27.6% in Luanda; 19.2% in Cacuaco; and 15.6% Cazenga. For HIV, the seroprevalence was also close ranges among the municipalities: 10.0% in Belas; 14.5% in Viana 14.9% in Luanda and 12.5% in Cazenga. However, the seroprevalence in municipality of in Cacuaco was lower (5.8%) and bivariate and multivariate analysis showed a lower risk for HIV in this area (OR 0.348, CI 0.083–0.986; OR 0.359, CI 0.085–1.021). The multivariate analysis had also showed a significant increased risk for HIV in women with 2 or 3 births (OR 1.860, CI 1.054–3.372). Conclusions Our results underlined the need to improve the screening and clinical follow-up of HIV and HBV in Angola, as well the educational campaigns to prevent not only the morbidity and mortality associated with these diseases, but also their transmission, mainly in women in reproductive age and pregnant, encouraging the pre-natal consultations in order to avoid mother-to-child transmission.

Socio-Demographic and Occupational Aspects of HIV-HBV Co-Infection in Bangui, Central African Republic (CAR): Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study

“…In our study, unemployed people made up more than half the workforce (51.7%), with a predominance of women (43.0% of the total workforce). This result is similar to that of Mossoro-Kpinde in 2016 [5] and Nkuxi in Angola [29]. It is thought to be linked to the feminization of HIV infection in sub-Saharan Africa [27] and to the higher school dropout rate for girls in CAR.…”

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C virus infections among pregnant women attending antenatal care in a secondary health facility in Northern Nigeria

“…The seroprevalence of hepatitis b and c viruses in this study is higher than that of 6.25% in Ethiopia and 8.1% in the western part of Nigeria This may be attributed to the lower sociocultural status of these women, polygamous marriage practices, cultural practices like tribal marks, and early marriages practices in the setting where this study was conducted (11,12). Also, the seroprevalence of HBV was found to be higher than the findings from studies done in other parts of Nigeria and other LMICs where the seroprevalence ranged from 4.6%-9.7% (11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22), but lower than the finding in Angola of 25.7% seroprevalence (23). A similar study in Central Nigeria also found a high prevalence of 19.5% and this may be due to the exclusion of women who had been vaccinated for HBV from the study (24).…”

Determinants of Hepatitis B Viral infection among pregnant women in Greater Monrovia, Liberia

“…Hepatitis B Virus disease is more prevalent in Sub-Sahara Africa; about 6 to 25 percent Sub Saharan Africans are infected with the disease (15,16). Greater Monrovia region and Liberia has a prevalence of about 2% (17).…”