Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) in Female Students and Pregnant Women in the West Province of Cameroon

Abstract

Detection of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carried out in the west province of Cameroon by immunoassay in the sera of 290 apparently healthy pregnant women and female students showed a prevalence of 3.7%. The pregnant women in Bafoussam, an urban setting, had a prevalence of 1.2%, while their counterparts in Bandjoun had a prevalence of 7.5%. All the female students sampled in Bandjoun had a prevalence of 4.1%. Comparison of the HBsAg in both towns showed no statistical difference (p<0.05). Relevant information obtained through questionnaire showed that students were more aware about the disease than pregnant women. There was no significant association between the HBsAg status of subjects and factors such as sexual activity, previous infection in a family member and blood transfusion. Peri-natal transmission is the main route of disease acquisition in the study area. Enlightenment and screening of pregnant women for the marker is advocated.

Key Words: Hepatitis B surface Antigen, Prevalence, Pregnant women, Female students, Cameroon.

Mary Slessor Journal of Medicine Vol.4(1) 2004: 53-57