Sero-epidemiological survey and risk factors for Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection among pregnant women in Logo LGA, Benue State, Nigeria

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is associated with chronic liver diseases, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, liver failure and death. The prevalence of Hepatitis B virus carrier and infectivity status and social characteristics among three hundred and ten pregnant women in Logo LGA, Benue State, Nigeria, was determined through random anonymous testing of volunteers attending antenatal clinics of different hospitals within the community. Thirty of three hundred and ten blood samples tested positive for HBV infection. 11.9% were in the 3rd trimester of their pregnancy and 58.1% were within the age bracket of 21-30 years. Illiterates women constituted 14.4% of those sampled while civil servants were 6.7%. HBV carrier status was determined by the presence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Repeated reactive samples were confirmed by Enzyme linked immounosorbent assay (ELISA) Kit (Diagnostic Automation, Inc., USA). Maternal HBV infectivity status was determined by testing all HBsAg positive samples for the presence of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg). A total of thirty (9.7%) pregnant women identified as carriers of HBV and eleven of the thirty tested positive for HBeAg. Hence, 3.6% (11/310) of the entire study population was found to have high viral replication as well as high risk of transmitting HBV to their neonates. The frequency of HBV carrier did not vary with age, however, it varies significantly with the previous use of contraceptives and the anaemic status of the subjects (P< 0.05) .This study demonstrates the endemicity of HBV infection in Logo and high infectivity rate, suggest that HBV is likely to be acquired by both vertical and horizontal means of transmission. Testing for HBsAg is recommended for all pregnant women at first prenatal visit so that positive mothers receive prompt intervention.Keywords: Hepatitis B e antigen, Hepatitis B surface antigen, seropositivity, pregnant women, neonate