Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Hepatitis B and C Virus Infections among Pregnant Women in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis is caused by Viruses that are all contagious and the infection can be transmitted from one person to another. Estimating the prevalence of hepatitis B and C viral infections among pregnant women will help reduce mortality and morbidity rates in these subjects. Methodology: A total of three hundred (300) blood samples were collected from three Hospitals in Saminaka, Lere and Gure based on the availability of samples. The sera samples were assayed using in-vitro diagnostic kit (dipsticks/strips) to detect the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV). Results: Test strip revealed that 18/330 (6.00%) of pregnant women tested positive for HBV and 15/300 (5.00%) were infected with HCV. The Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kit confirmed 25/300 (8.33%) of HBV and 21/300 (7.00%) of HCV in the study population.. Conclusion: There is need for proper screening of blood before transfusion as most women that had blood transfusion once were found to be infected also there is need for proper sensitization about the disease as many participants were not aware of its capacity to spread and cause life threatening infection.