Co-infections of malaria and hepatitis B among pregnant women in Igbo-Eze North LGA of Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

Acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) and malaria infections pose serious health risks to the general population and may worsen victims' physical and financial well-being. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of HBV and malaria co-infections during LGA among expectant mothers. This study used a cross-sectional, prospective design. Blood samples were collected from both pregnant and non-pregnant women for parasitological and serological examinations in the study area. This was performed to compare the severity of infections between pregnant and non- pregnant women, as pregnant women are more susceptible to infections. The study included 50 women who attended antenatal care at the time of this project and 10 non-pregnant women who came to the hospitals for check-ups. Samples of people aged 18 to 52 years were collected. Age groups of 18-28 and 40-50 years had the greatest 30(50%) and lowest 8(13%) populations of women screened for malaria and hepatitis B co-infection, respectively. The 1st and 3rd trimesters were followed by the 2nd trimester, which had the highest prevalence. Only the second trimester had a 2% prevalence rate of hepatitis B. Farmers were the group most likely to contract malaria (92%). The percentage of government employees who had malaria and hepatitis B was the highest 20%), followed by traders (5%). Ogrute, the seat of the Local Government had a high rate of malaria infection despite having several medical facilities and less farming activities. Olido (25%), followed by Ogrute (14 point 3%), had the highest rate of co-infection with hepatitis B and malaria. The PCV ranges of 25–27(100%) and 28–30(100%) had the highest prevalence of malaria. This study shows how persistent malaria and hepatitis B are also associated with decreased packed cell volume (PCV) in pregnant women.