Epidemiology of hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infections in pregnant women in Sana'a, Yemen.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Screening for Hepatitis B and C during pregnancy may help to decide on appropriate antiviral therapy and the institution of steps to minimize vertical transmission to the newborn infants.

METHODS:

A cross-sectional study was conducted during November-December 2011 to investigate the seroprevalence and associated risk factors for markers of HBV (hepatitis B surface antigen; HBsAg) and anti-HCV antibody among pregnant women at the Al-Thawra hospital in Sana'a, Yemen. Structured questionnaires were used to obtain sociodemographic obstetrics and medical data and sera were tested for HBsAg and anti-HCV.

RESULTS:

Of the 400 pregnant women enrolled in the study, HBsAg and anti-HCV were detected in 43 (10.8%; 95% CI: 8.0-14.0%) and 34 (8.5%, 95% CI: 6.0-11.5%) women, respectively. None of the women were co-infected with HBV and HCV. Multivariate analysis showed that circumcision was significantly associated with HBsAg seropositivity (OR = 3.3, 95% CI: 1.1-10.2; p = 0.03), low parity (primigravidae and secundigravidae) and education below secondary level were significantly associated with anti- HCV seropositivity (OR = 3.3, 95% CI: 1.1-10.2; p = 0.03). No other sociodemographic or clinical characteristics (age, residence, history of home delivery, miscarriage, dental manipulation, surgery, and blood transfusion) were significantly associated with HBsAg or anti-HCV seropositivity.

CONCLUSION:

The results of this study suggest that HBsAg and anti-HCV have high prevalence among pregnant women.

• Authors: Entisar A Murad, Suad M Babiker, Gasim I Gasim, Duria A Rayis, Ishag Adam
• Journal: BMC pregnancy and childbirth (BMC Pregnancy Childbirth) Vol. 13 Pg. 127 (Jun 07 2013) ISSN: 1471-2393 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 23758990 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Viral
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigens

Topics

• Adult
• Antibodies, Viral (blood)
• Circumcision, Female
• Confidence Intervals
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Educational Status
• Female
• Hepacivirus (immunology)
• Hepatitis B (blood, epidemiology)
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigens (blood)
• Hepatitis C (blood, epidemiology)
• Humans
• Multivariate Analysis
• Odds Ratio
• Parity
• Pregnancy
• Pregnancy Complications, Infectious (blood, epidemiology)
• Prevalence
• Seroepidemiologic Studies
• Yemen (epidemiology)
• Young Adult