SERO-PREVALENCE AND FACTORS OF HEPATITIS B VIRUS INFECTION IN PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTI-NATAL CARE IN WOLKITE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, WOLKITE, ETHIOPIA, 2023: A HOSPITAL BASED RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the major threats to global health, affecting millions of people each year and causing morbidity and mortality. Its infection in pregnancy is associated with direct effect on pregnancy and potential viral transmission from mother to newborn. The risk of acquiring chronic HBV infection varies with age, with 90% of infections acquired during the perinatal period. Its infectivity is 100 times that of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the prevalence of HBV and its associated factors among pregnant mothers attending antenatal care at Wolkite University Specialized Teaching Hospita (WkUSTH)l in Wolkite, Southern Ethiopia 2023. Objectives: to determine the prevalence and associated factors of Hepatitis B infection among pregnant women attending antenatal care in WkUSTH, Ethiopia. Methods: an institution based retrospective study was conducted in WkUSTH Anti-natal care visits of pregnant mothers between July 11, 2023-August 23, 2023. A total of 302 pregnant women selected using simple random sampling technique. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to assess variables.Data were entered into Epi-info and transportedto SPSS. Descriptive statistics was performed for all variables. Bi-variable and multivariate logistic regression was performed to test the COR & the AOR respectively. Multi-collinearity was checked. Variables with P-vale <=0.2 in the bivariate entered in to multi-variable analysis. Multivariate P-value of <=0.05 was considered significant. Result: Overall, 18(6.0%) were positive for HBsAg. Previous history of home delivery(AOR = 3.2(1.12–6.2)), scarification (AOR = 4.48(1.1-5.7)), multiple life time sexual partner (AOR=3.75(1.26-8.1))and Age>=25 (AOR= 3.35(1.1-4.9)) were significantly associated with HBV infection. Conclusions & recommendations: Endemicity was intermediate. Multiple sexual partners, history of STD, body scarification, induced abortion, age>=30, contact with liver diseases patient and lower income were the major associated factors. Giving health information, prevent unwanted pregnancy, improve safe abortion care, controlling STI, avoiding body tattooing and empowering women are important