Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus and syphilis among pregnant women attending Dessie referral hospital, Northeast Ethiopia

Abstract

<p><strong>Background</strong>: Globally the burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and syphilis infections are a common problem of pregnant women where the complications are transmitted to their new born infants. These infections, often silent and without symptoms, can result in serious and fatal health consequences.</p><p><strong>Methods</strong>: Cross-sectional study was conducted on 384 pregnant women attending Dessie referral hospital from February to April 2019 by using convenience sampling techniques. Data were collected by assigned nurses with face to face interview using a pre-tested questionnaire. Samples were screened by rapid serological tests for HIV and <em>T. pallidum </em>antibodies as well as HBsAg. Data was analysed using SPSS. Logistic regression was used to see the association between dependent and independent variables. P values <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. </p><p><strong>Results:</strong> The overall seroprevalence rates of HIV, HBsAg, syphilis and HIV/HBV coinfections were 6.5%, 4.7% and 0.8%, and 0.5% respectively. The history of sexual transmitted infections (STIs), multiple partners and using sharp materials were significantly associated to HIV with an adjusted odd ratio (AOR) of 8.35, 9.6 and 3.097 respectively. Likewise, the habit of ear/nose piercing and partner’s STIs exposure were associated with hepatitis B infection with an AOR 8.24 and 14.11 respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> HIV and HBV infections are still critical public health concerns among pregnant women in the study area. History of multiple sexual partners, sharing of sharp materials, history of STIs exposure, habits of ear/nose piercing were significantly associated with infections.</p>

Magnitudes and Correlates of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Hepatitis B Virus, and Syphilis among Pregnant Mothers Attending Antenatal Care in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

“…In the present study, the seroprevalence of HIV among pregnant women was 5.3%, which is in line with studies done in Cameroon (5.0%) [ 23 ], sub-Saharan African countries (5.3%) [ 24 ], and Ethiopia (5.74%) [ 6 ]. This finding was lower than the previous studies done in China (6.6%) [ 25 ], Cameroon (13.1%) [ 26 ], Gondar (11.2%) [ 27 ], and Dessie (6.5%) [ 21 ]. However, it is higher than a study done in Addis Ababa (4.8%) [ 6 ], Gondar (4.1%) [ 28 ], Sudan (1.13%) [ 29 ], Guatemala (0.21%) [ 30 ], and Angola (2.6%) [ 31 ].…”

“…The present study demonstrated that study participants with a history of other STIs were 3.79 times more likely to be infected with HIV than those without previous history of STIs. This finding was supported by a research done in Dessie, Ethiopia [ 21 ], and Addis Ababa [ 6 ] in which the history of STIs was associated with HIV infection. This might be because STIs create ulcer on the skin and mucous membrane which in turn facilitates the acquisition of HIV infection.…”

“…Pregnant women having a husband with a history of multiple sexual partners have 3.42 times more chance to acquire HIV infection compared to their counterparts. Studies conducted in Dessie, Ethiopia [ 21 ], Addis Ababa [ 6 ], Uganda [ 32 ], Cameroon [ 26 ], and Southwest Nigeria [ 33 ] showed that the habit of multiple sexual practices was significantly associated with the acquisition of HIV infection. This may be because husbands of pregnant women have risky sexual behavior that facilitates the acquisition of HIV both for them and for the women.…”

“…This finding was consistent with research done in Bahir Dar (2.9%) [ 45 ]. Yet, the prevalence of syphilis is higher than 0.6% of Dessie, Ethiopia [ 21 ]. Compared to other countries, the observed 1.8% seroprevalence of syphilis is lower than the 5.7% prevalence in Cameroon [ 23 ], 2.9% in sub-Saharan African countries [ 15 ], 3.2% in the east African region [ 15 ], and 3.8% in South African regions [ 15 ].…”

“…The sample size was determined using a single-population proportion formula by taking 6.5% the highest prevalence of HIV infection from the recent study in Dessie, Ethiopia [ 21 ], with an assumption of a 95% level of confidence and 3% margin of error. Accordingly, after adding the 10% nonresponse rate, a total of 286 pregnant women were included in the study.…”