HEPATITIS B VIRUS INFECTION IN PREGNANT WOMEN AT JIBLAH UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IN JIBLAH CITY, YEMEN

Sadeq Kaid Mohammed Al-Mohani; Osama Sadiq Kiad Almohani

doi:10.22270/ujpr.v9i2.1088

Sadeq Kaid Mohammed Al-Mohani Faculty of Medical Laboratories, Jiblah University for Medical and Health Sciences, Ibb Governorate, Yemen.
Osama Sadiq Kiad Almohani Faculty of Medicine Kaser Al-Ainy . Cairo University, Egypt.

10.22270/ujpr.v9i2.1088

Keywords:

Hepatitis B virus, Jiblah, pregnant women, seroprevalence, Yemen

Abstract

Background: Infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a worldwide public health concern. About half of the transmission routes of chronic HBV infections in endemic areas are through mother-to-child transmission (MTCT), with HBV infection primarily occurring during infancy and early childhood. One of the most important steps in lowering the prevalence of chronic HBV worldwide is MTCT prevention. The majority of MTCT is caused via natal transmission, therefore immunizing babies against disease is a highly effective method of preventing natal transmission.
Objective: This study was conducted to study the epidemiology of hepatitis B virus among pregnant women attending Jiblah University Hospital in Ibb Governorate, Yemen.

Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted and 154 pre-designed questionnaires and serum samples were collected from October to December 2023 to detect seroprevalence and associated risk factors for markers of HBV (HBsAg) among pregnant women at Jiblah University Hospital in Jiblah City, Yemen. Sera were tested for HBsAg by quantitative ELISA.

Results: The study reported that, the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus was 2.6%. The prevalence of HBsAg was more prevalent in illiterate pregnant women. Educational status has been revealed as a predictor of hepatitis B virus infection.

Conclusion: This study revealed a moderate level of risk of hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women.