Sero-prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen among pregnant women attending Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria

Abstract

The sero-prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection study was conducted among pregnant women attending the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Kaduna State. Of the 120 serum samples screened, 10 (8.3%) were sero-positive. The
highest prevalence was recorded among the 30-34 years age-group (18.2%) followed by the 25-29 years age-group (9.1%) with the least in the 20-24 years age-group (6.3%). There were no significant differences between prevalence recorded and agegroups but these were significant associations between risk factors namely tribal marks/tattooing, types of marriages and prevalence of hepatitis infection. The prevalence of hepatitis B antigen among pregnant women suggests that vertical transmission of the virus has public health significance. It is therefore recommended that hepatitis B vaccination should be incorporated in the childhood immunization programme in Nigeria.

Keywords: hepatitis B, sero-prevalence, pregnant women, Zaria. Nigeria.

Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 29 (1) 2008 pp. 38-41