Probability of HBsAg Among Village Midwives in Khartoum State, Sudan, 2014

The risk of catching HBV infection varies between and in-between health institutions as well as at geographical areas for general population. An observational study was performed in order to determine the conditional probabilities of the prevalence of HBsAg among Village Midwives in Khartoum State, Sudan, 2014. Through one stage stratified, systematic random sampling three hundred and thirty five village midwives out of 1848 were selected. A close end questionnaire for demographic data was used. Using Eliza, blood was tested; sera of all participants were examined for Anti-HBcore (IgG and IgM). Positive specimens for Anti-HBcore and HBsAg were examined for HBsAg and HBeAg respectively. Statistical package of social sciences (SPSS) version (16) and Chi-square test were used. P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Probability was calculated manually using Bayesian analysis method. Participants were divided into three main age groups: (i) Age group less than 30 years (4.6%). (ii) Age group (30-49) represented by 65.8%. (iii) Age group more than 50 years (29.5%). For education (0.9%) university graduate, (9.8%) secondary certificate, (14.2%) intermediate, (50.2%) primary, (1.9%) Quranic School and (23%) were illiterate. About (61.8%) were married, (16.4%) widow, (11.3%) divorced and (4.8%) un-married. Thirty four percent of them were positive for Anti-HBcore (IgG) indicating past or on going infection. Out of these fifty seven percent were HBsAg positive. HBeAg and Anti-HBcore (lgM) were negative. The maximum conditional probabilities of positive HBsAg in relation to age, educational level, marital status, and duration of work was found to be: (0.576), (0.524), (0.676), and (0.633) respectively. While the overall conditional probability in relation to these factors was: (0.576), (0.451), (0.14), and (0.633). Conditional probabilities of positive HBsAg among village midwives in Khartoum State, Sudan, were high. Village midwives with duration of work for 1-2 years and age above 50 years have got high probability of positive HBsAg. Screening and vaccination of village midwives are recommended.