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

• Published in: African health sciences 2015-09, Vol.15 (3), p.709-713
• Main Authors: Ephraim, Richard, Donko, Isaac, Sakyi Samuel A, Ampong, Joyce, Agbodjakey, Hope
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Coinfection; Cross-Sectional Studies; Disease transmission; Female; Fetuses; Ghana - epidemiology; Hepacivirus; Hepatitis; Hepatitis B - epidemiology; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens - blood; Hepatitis B virus; Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, pregnant women, seroprevalence, risk factors, Ghana; Hepatitis C - epidemiology; Hepatitis C Antibodies - blood; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious - epidemiology; Prevalence; Public health; Research methodology; Risk Factors; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Statistical analysis; Viral infections; Womens health; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1680-6905; 1729-0503; 1680-6905
• DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v15i3.2

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 nfection. Measures to reduce the disease and transmission burden must be introduced.