Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at General Hospital Calabar, Cross River State

Author(s): Lennox Josiah A., Mbim Elizabeth, Uwamere Edeghor

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Nigeria has remained a public health issue and a major cause of mortality especially in developing countries. Vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus infection is thought to be one of the major routes of transmission in developing countries. In spite of this, routine antenatal screening for hepatitis infection is not yet practiced in many Nigerian hospitals. This study was undertaken with the aim of determining the prevalence of HBsAg antibodies among women attending ante-natal clinic at General Hospital Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. A total of one hundred and fifty women were recruited for this study between January and March, 2012 and were screened for anti-HBsAg antibodies using the one step rapid HBsAg Test Kit (Hypertec. Diagnostic, Germany). The anti-HBsAg prevalence was determined to be 4% (6/150) with the highest prevalence (7.14%) recorded in pregnant women aged 26-30 years. The trimester related prevalence of HBsAg was highest (5.88%) among women on their 2nd trimester. Statistical analysis revealed that age and trimester were not statistically associated (P > 0.05) with HBsAg antibodies prevalence. The findings of high prevalence of HBsAg in antenatal women in their 2nd trimester during which the fetus undergo certain developmental processes possess high risk to the developing fetus.

HBV, Cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma

1. Agbede, O.O., Iseniyi, J.O., Kolewale, M.O., Ojuowa, A. (2007). Risk factors and Seroprevalence of hepatitis B antigenemia in mothers and their preschool children in Illorin, Nigeria. Therapy 4:67-72. http://dx.doi.org/10.2217/14750708.4.1.67
2. Ahizechukwu, C.E., Uzoamaka, A.E., Charles, I.O., Ifeanyichukwu, U.E., Chukwuanugo, O. (2011). Prevalence, correlates and pattern of Hepatitis B surface antigen in a low resource setting. Virology Journal 8:12. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1743-422x-8-12
3. Akani, C.I., Ojule, A.C., Opurum, H.C., Ejilemele, A.A. (2005). Seroprevalence of HBsAg in pregnant women in Port-Harcourt, Nigeria. Post Graduate Medical Journal, 12:266-270. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/phmedj.v3i1.38944
4. Ejele, Q.A., Ojule, A.C. (2006). The prevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen among prospective blood donors and patients in Port-Harcourt, Nigeria. Niger Med. 13:336-338.
5. Gambarin-Gelwan, M. (2007). Hepatitis B in pregnancy. Clinics of Liver Disease, 11:945-963. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cld.2007.08.004
6. Harry, T.O., Bajani, M.D., Moses, A.E. (1994). Hepatitis B virus infection among blood donors and pregnant women in Maiduguri, Nigeria. East Africa Medical Journal, 70:596-597.
7. Hyams, K.C. (1995). Risk of chronicity following acute hepatitis B virus infection: A review. Clin. Intec. Dis. 20:992-1000. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/clinids/20.4.992
8. Jatau, E.D., Yabaya, A. (2009). Sero prevalence of Hepatitis B virus in pregnant women attending a Clinic in Zaria, Nigeria. Science World Journal. 4:7-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/swj.v4i2.51837
9. Lilavati, G., Chandra, M.P., Umakanta, N. (2004). Incidence of HbsAg carrier state in pregnant in Eastern Orissa. Journal of Obstetric and Gynaecology India. 54:136-138.
10. Mbaawuaga, E.M., Enenebeaku, M.N.O., Okopi, J.A., Damen, J.G. (2008). Hepatitis B virus infection (HBV) among pregnant women in Makurdi, Nigeria. African Journal of Biomedical Research, 11:155-159. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ajbr.v11i2.50700
11. Mbamara, S.U. and Obiechina, N.J.A. (2010). Seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen among attendees in a private specialist hospital in Onitsha, Southeast Nigeria. Nigerian Medical Journal 51(4):152-154. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/tjmr.v14i1.65499
12. Obi, C.L., Nnatu, S.N., Anyiwo, C.E., Agbonlahor, D.E., Esumeh, F.I., Karpas, A. (1993). Comparison of HIV seropositivity and hepatitis B surface antigenimia (HBsAg) among the same group of apparently healthy pregnant women in Lagos: A preliminary report. Viral Immunology, 6:43-47. http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/vim.1993.6.43
13. Obi, S.N., Onah, H.E., Esugwu, F.O. (2006). Risk factors for hepatitis B infection during pregnancy in a Nigerian obstetric population. J. Obstet Gynaecol, 26:770-2. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01443610600963986
14. Samuel, D., Muller & Alexande, G. (2004). Educational research, national Hepatitis B virus programme. Infect. Dis., 234:221-332.
15. Tse, K.Y., Ho, L.F., Lao, T. (2005). The impact of maternal carrier status on pregnancy outcomes: A case controlled study. Journal of Hepatology 43:771-6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2005.05.023
16. Uneke, C.J., Ogbu, O., Iyama, P.U., Anyayu, G.J., Njoku, M.O., Idoko, J.H. (2005). Prevalence of HBsAg among blood donors and HIV infected patients in Jos, Nigeria. Afr. Health Sci. 5: 58-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/s0074-02762005000100002
17. World Health Organization (WHO) (2004). Hepatitis B surface antigen assays: Characteristics (Phasel). Report 2.
18. Vranckx, R., Alisjahbana, A., Meheus, A. (1999). Hepatitis B virus vaccination and antenatal transmission of HBV markers to neonates. J. Viral Hepatitis, 6:135-39. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2893.1999.00145.x