Seroprevalence of hepatitis B infection among pregnant women in Katsina, Nigeria

Abstract

The seroprevalence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) in pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Federal Medical Centre, Katsina was determined within the period, January to March, 2011. Two hundred pregnant women were recruited for this study. Out of this number, 21(10.5%) tested positive for HBV. Of the overall positive cases, 13(61.9%) were in the second trimester, while 7(33.3%) were in the third trimester of their pregnancy. Age brackets 16 - 20 and 21-25 years had 33.3% prevalence rate each, although, there was no significant association (p>0.05) between HBsAg and age groups. This finding implies that the area under study has high endemicity for the infection. Therefore, screening of all pregnant women in the study area for HBsAg is recommended so that positive ones would be give necessary medical care.

Keywords: Seroprevalence, hepatitis B virus, HBsAg, pregnancy, Nigeria