Abstract:
Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a common serious liver disease affecting millions of people throughout the world. HBV infection in pregnant women can result in maternal complications and poor neonatal or infant outcomes. HBV infection in infancy increases the risk of developing liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Broad Objective: To determine the seroprevalence of and factors associated with HBV infection in pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Karagwe District Council in Kagera region.
Materials and Methods: Clinic-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 600 pregnant women attending first visits in four ANC clinics in Karagwe District Council, Kagera Region, Tanzania during March–April, 2017.Blood samples were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) using rapid test.
Results: The overall seroprevalence of HBV infection was 5.2% (95% CI: 3.6 – 7.3). In Bivariate analysis, history of multiple sexual partners (p<0.01), blood transfusion (p<0.01), alcohol consumption (p<0.01) and scarification (p<0.02) were associated with HBsAg positivity. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, history of multiple sexual partners (p<0.01) and drinking of alcohol (p=0.03) were significant predictors of HBV infection in pregnant women.
Conclusion and Recommendations: Seroprevalence of HBV infection in Karagwe District Council was intermediate. History of multiple sexual partners and drinking of alcohol predicted significantly HBV infection in pregnant women. Screening of pregnant women for HBsAg should be part of ANC visits followed by at birth-hepatitis B vaccination of new born babies of pregnant mothers who tested positive for HBsAg so as to reduce and prevent the spread of HBV infection.
