| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2011 | Volume
: 3
| Issue : 5 | Page : 238-241 |
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The prevalence of hepatitis B and C viral infections among pregnant women
Ose Ugbebor1, Moses Aigbirior2, Favour Osazuwa3, Ehigha Enabudoso4, Omorogbe Zabayo1
1 Department of Hematology & Blood transfusion, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria
2 Department of Medical Microbiology, Central Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria
3 Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria
4 Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria
Correspondence Address:
Ose Ugbebor
Department of Hematology & Blood transfusion, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City
Nigeria
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
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Background : Viral hepatitis during pregnancy is associated with high risk of maternal complications and has become a leading cause of foetal death. Aims : This study aimed at determining the prevalence of hepatitis B and C viral infections among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Patients and Methods: This was a hospital based cross-sectional study that included 5760 pregnant women who attended the antenatal clinic of the hospital during the periods of October 2009 - October 2010. Relevant data was gathered and women having history of previous liver diseases, diabetes and pre-eclamptic toxemia were excluded from the study. Rapid diagnostic test kits were used to screen for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-Hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies. Results : 720 (12.5%) and 206 (3.6%) out of 5,760 pregnant women included in the study were found to be positive for Serum antibodies to hepatitis B and C respectively. 33 (0.57%) were found to have mixed infections of hepatitis B and C. None of the expected risk factors had significant outcome. Conclusion : This study showed that the prevalence of the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) among pregnant women in this study area is of intermediate endemicity (12.5%). |
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