Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Hepatitis B Viral Infection among Pregnant Women Accessing Antenatal Care at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, South West, Uganda

Aims: To determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among pregnant women.

Study Design: A cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Antenatal clinic of Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, between April and July 2016.

Methodology: We included 160 pregnant women (age range 18-45 years). 4ml of blood samples were taken in EDTA tubes; plasma was separated and tested for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) using the visual immunochromatographic HBsAg Card (Cypress Diagnostics). Positive samples with HBsAg were further retested using (Axysm immunochemical Technology) for hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg).

The Results: Out of the 160 participants, 4 (2.5%) tested positive for HBsAg and the prevalence by gravidity was highest in primigravida, 5.88% (n=51, p-value =0.28). The gestational age groups of 1-13 and 28-42 weeks had the highest prevalence 3.1% (p-value 0.05). The highest prevalence of HBsAg by age was seen in age groups 18-26 to 4.7% (n=84). All the HBsAg positive became HBeAg negative on ELISA technique. There was no association between history of surgery and HBV infection (Odds Ratio 2.03, p value= 0.54) similarly with the history of blood transfusion (Odds Ratio 0.66).

Conclusion: Despite the reported high prevalence of HBV infection among pregnant women in other areas within the country, HBV prevalence was low in this study. Routine testing for HBV infection at all ante-natal care clinics countrywide is recommended.