Clinico-epidemiological correlates of Hepatitis B infection in suburban population of pregnant women in Niger Delta region of Nigeria

Background: Most paediatric Hepatitis B vrus Infections occur by vertical transmission from mothers who, often times, are asymptomatic. Objectives: To determine the prevalence, and clinicoepidemiological correlates of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity in pregnancy. Methods: This was a prospective cross sectional study in pregnant women attending the booking antenatal clinic of Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital. The clinical and epidemiological correlates for hepatitis B in pregnancy were also identified Results: Two hundred and five (205) consenting pregnant women were recruited, out of whom 14 (6.8%) had a positive HBsAg result. The significant risk factors for HBsAg seropositivity were previous multiple sexual partners (P=0.01) and tattoo/scarification marks (P=0.00). Conclusion: The high prevalence of Hepatitis B infection of the study suggests that a multimodal approach is pivotal to curb the prevalence of hepatitis B infection in Irrua. This will include immunization of young people, whether sexually active or not, advocacy to practitioners of traditional tattoos to use sterilized instruments and immunoprophylaxis of HBV exposed infants. Keywords: Viral infection, pregnancy, hepatitis