Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection and associated risk factors among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Mulago Hospital, Uganda: a cross-sectional study. Issue 6 (3rd June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kayondo, Simon Peter; Byamugisha, Josaphat K; Ntuyo, Peter
• Is Part Of: BMJ open. Volume 10:Issue 6(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-06-03
• Subjects: hepatitis B -- prevalence -- pregnant women -- Mulago Hospital -- Uganda; Medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; 610.72
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033043
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2044-6055

Abstract

Abstract : Aim: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Mulago Hospital. Design: Cross-sectional observational study. Setting: Mulago National Referral Hospital, Uganda, antenatal clinic. Participants: We randomly selected 340 pregnant women attending their first antenatal visit at Mulago Hospital antenatal clinic. Primary outcome: Hepatitis B surface antigen positivity. Results: We recruited 340 participants, with a mean age of 27±5.7 years, and a median gravidity of 3. The prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic in Mulago Hospital, in our study, was 2.9% (95% CI 1.58% to 5.40%, n=10). Factors positively associated with hepatitis B virus infection were: marital status (adjusted OR (aOR)=11.37, p=0.002), having a hepatitis B positive family member (aOR=49.52, p<0.001) and having had a blood or body fluid splash to mucous membranes from a hepatitis B positive patient (aOR=61.69, p=0.015). Other factors such as age, socioeconomic status, number of sexual partners, HIV serostatus, piercing of ears and history of blood transfusion were not significantly associated with hepatitis B virus infection in this study. Conclusion: The prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Mulago Hospital was of intermediate endemicity. We found that marital status, having a hepatitis B positive family member at home and having had a blood or body fluid splash to mucous membranes from a hepatitis B positive patient were independently associated with hepatitis B infection. Factors such as age, HIV status, history of blood transfusion, piercing of ears and social status were not associated with hepatitis B status in this study.