Prevalence and Determinants of Hepatitis B Virus Antigenemia among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Some Hospitals in Bauchi Metropolis

Background: Hepatitis B virus infection is a significant public health problem in the world and is more common among most vulnerable individuals such as pregnant women in developing countries.

Design and Duration: This is a cross-sectional study involving pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in some hospitals in the Bauchi metropolis, from January 2021 to February 2022.

Aim: The aim of this study is, therefore, to assess the seroprevalence and determinants of the hepatitis B virus among pregnant women attending some hospitals in Bauchi Metropolis, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: A total of 394 blood specimens were collected from the fingertip of the randomly selected pregnant women. A structured questionnaire was administered and interviews were conducted for data collection. The participants were screened for HBsAg status by the rapid diagnostic test.

Results: The overall prevalence of the disease was 11.7% (46 of 394). The infection was more common (39.1%) among the women in the 31 to 35 years age group, followed by 23.9% (26-30) years. The majority are married (67.4%), business owners (30.4%), then civil servants (26.1%), and had attended tertiary education (52.1%). The highest frequency (63.0%) was found among the antenatal women at primiparous and mainly (50%) started visiting in the 3rd trimester, with 2 children as the highest number of live births (45.7%). Risk factors analysis revealed that most of the women positive (78.3%) have no history of previous surgery, or blood transfusion (61.20%). but 52.2% are co-infected with HIV/AIDS.

Conclusion: This study found a relatively low prevalence of HBV infection (11.7%) among pregnant women in this area, but it was very high, especially among the unvaccinated and those co-infected with HIV.