Screening for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Viral Infection among a Sample of Pregnant Women in Al-Fallujah
Abstract
ABSTRACTBackground: Hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections are both major global health problems, and they are rapidly spreading in developing countries due to lack of health education, poverty, illiteracy and lack of resources. Vertical transmission (mother-child) is a well established risk factor for both infections, to establish better preventive strategies. Updating data on prevalence rates are needed.
Objectives: To estimate the seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti- HCV antibodies in a sample of pregnant women, and to find out the most important risk factors associated with these infections in the selected sample.
Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in Al-Fallujah General Hospital and two main primary health centers (located in rural area) during the period between 20th of January, till 20th of August 2010. The study sample consisted of 520 apparently healthy pregnant women in different duration of pregnancy. The data was collected through direct interview by using a special questionnaire form, and blood samples were taken from every pregnant woman. Rapid test kits were used to indicate the presence of HBsAg and anti-HCV antibodies in sera of pregnant women.
Results: The seroprevalence of HBsAg was 4.42% (23/520) and anti-HCV antibodies were 1.15% (6/520). All women with positive sera were not aware of their condition. For HBsAg positivity the most important risk factors were having a family member including husband infected with hepatitis, followed by obstetric and gynecological surgical intervention, while for anti-HCV antibodies positivity, having family member with hepatitis, followed by intravenous drugs and fluid use, obstetric and gynecological surgical intervention were the most important risk factors.
Conclusions: HBsAg seroprevalence was higher than anti-HCV antibodies seroprevalence, and infection rates of HBV and HCV among pregnant women were within what reported nationally for the general population.
Keywords: Screening, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Pregnant women.
Copyright (c) 2011 Iraqi Medical Journal
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