Abstract

MUGABIIRWE, Naome et al. Hepatitis B virus infection and HBeAg positivity among pregnant women in South West Uganda. Afr. J. Lab. Med. [online]. 2022, vol.11, n.1, pp.1-6. ISSN 2225-2010.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v11i1.1784.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus is a public health burden in Uganda, yet little is known about its epidemiology in pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at determining the prevalence and associated risk factors of hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women attending antenatal care at the Kyazanga Health Centre IV in Lwengo District, Uganda. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2021 to June 2021 and analysed qualitative data that were collected using a structured in-person questionnaire. Aseptically collected blood specimens were screened for hepatitis B virus infection using an immunochromatographic rapid diagnostic test kit. Participants who were positive for the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were further screened for hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg) using commercial rapid diagnostic test kits. RESULTS: Out of 384 pregnant women studied, eight tested positive for HBsAg. This gave a prevalence of 2.1% (95% confidence interval: 1.0% - 4.1%); 5/8 (62.5%) were positive for HBeAg. None of the variables studied were significantly associated with HBsAg positivity among pregnant women. CONCLUSION: Hepatitis B viral infection is still a public health challenge in pregnant women with possible risk for vertical transmission to their babies in the study area. We recommend routine screening for hepatitis B virus in pregnancy in addition to strengthening current strategies aimed at controlling and preventing hepatitis B infection spread and transmission.

Keywords : risk factors; hepatitis B; pregnant women; prevalence; Uganda.

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