Seroprevalence and risk factors of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C infections among pregnant women in the Asante Akim North Municipality of the Ashanti region, Ghana; a cross sectional study

Background: Viral hepatitis is a serious public health problem affecting billions of people globally with maternal-fetal transmission on the rise.Objectives: This study sought to determine the prevalence and factors associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among pregnant women in the Asante Akim North  Municipality, in the Ashanti region of Ghana.Methods: In this cross-sectional study 168 pregnant women were recruited from the Agogo Presbyterian hospital. Blood samples were collected for the detection of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV antibodies. A pretested questionnaire was used to obtain demographic data and identify the risk factors associated with the two infections.Results: Of the 168 participants studied, 16 (9.5%) tested positive for HBV and 13 (7.7%) tested  positive for HCV representing 9.5% and 7.7% respectively. A participant tested positive for both HBV and HCV co-infection representing 0.6%. Undertaking blood transfusion, tattooing and sharing of needles were associated with hepatitis C infection (P=0.001). HBV was not associated with any of the risk factors  (P>0.05).Conclusion: Our findings suggest a high prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C among pregnant  women; blood transfusion, tattooing and sharing of hypodermic needles were associated with hepatitis C infection. Measures to reduce the disease and transmission burden must be introduced.Keywords: Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, pregnant women, seroprevalence, risk factors, Ghana.

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C Viral Infections among Type 2 Diabetics: A Cross-sectional Study in the Cape Coast Metropolis

Background: Type 2 diabetes comes with various complications and this may be compounded by morbidities of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections.Aims: This study examined the prevalence of HBV and HCV infectionst among type 2 diabetics as well as its associated factors. This randomized cross-sectional study was conducted at the Diabetic Clinic of the Central Regional Hospital, Cape Coast between December 2012 and April 2013. Subjects and Methods: A well.structured questionnaire was used to recruit 110 type 2 diabetics. Venous blood samples were collected for the estimation of blood glucose and to screen for HBV and HCV infections. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS Version 17.0. Descriptive analysis was performed and results expressed as means (SD) and n (%). P < 0.05 was considered significant.Results: Prevalence of HBV in type 2 diabetics was 5.5% (6/110). No type 2 diabetic was positive for HCV. The prevalence of HBV infection in the type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) participants was higher (5.5% [6/110]) than that of HCV (0/110). A total of 69.1% (76/110) T2DM patients had poor  glycemic control. Mean waist and hip circumference was higher amongHBV-negative T2DM participants (99.3; 106.9) than HBV-positive participants (87.2; 101.8).Conclusions: The seroprevalence of HBV was higher than that of HCV in T2DM patients. T2DM patients would require necessary preventive measures like prophylaxis, to reduce the risk of HBV infection and its ramifications.Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Ghana, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Prevalenc