Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infections among Pregnant Women in Central Sudan

Abstract

Background: The epidemiology of viral hepatitis and Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) during pregnancy is of great importance for health planners and program managers. However, few published data on viral hepatitis and HIV are available in Sudan especially during pregnancy.
Objectives: The current study was conducted to investigate seropositivity of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV among pregnant women in central Sudan.
Materials and methods: A cross sectional study was conducted where 396 pregnant women were investigated for the presence of hepatitis B, C and HIV. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect HBsAg and anti-HCV. Antibodies to HIV were detected by three different methods as per Strategy III of the National AIDS Control Organization by utilizing different systems of testing to make a diagnosis of HIV.
Results: Twenty (5.1%), five (1.3%), and six (1.5%) women were seropositive for HBsAg anti- HCV antibodies and HIV, respectively. One (0.003 %) woman was seropositive for both HBsAg and anti-HCV antibodies. While age, parity, were not associated with seropostivtiy of HBsAg, home delivery was the only significant risk factor for seropostivtiy of HBsAg (OR=4.5 (95% CI=1.2-16.7)
Conclusion: Prevalence of HBV and HCV among pregnant women in this setting is in the intermediate zone of endemicity. This is alarming and should draw medical authorities’ attention if vertical transmission is to be reduced.

Key words: Sudan, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, seropositivity, Pregnancy.