Prevalence of hepatitis B virus and its associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Ambo town, Central Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

• DOI: 10.1016/j.cegh.2022.101054
• Publication Date: 2022-05-02T15:54:00Z
• Authors: Merga Wakjira; Jiregna Darega; Habtamu Oljira; Meseret Robi Tura
• Keywords: Hepatitis B virus; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Associated factors; Pregnant mothers; Antenatal care; Ethiopia; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270

Background: Hepatitis B virus is the most common major hepatic infection. During pregnancy, the hepatitis B virus has an elevated rate of vertical transmission. Fetal hepatitis acquired during pregnancy leading to an impairment of cognitive and physical development in the future lives of children. Purpose: This study was to assess the prevalence of the hepatitis B virus and its associated factors among pregnant women receiving antenatal care at public health facilities in Ambo town, Central Ethiopia, 2019. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional facility-based study was conducted among 361 systematically selected pregnant women who received antenatal care from March 25 and May 10, 2019. Data were gathered through face-to-face interviews and blood samples were taken. The data has been cleaned and checked, entered into Epi Data 3.1, and exported into SPSS version 25 for further analysis. Bivariable and multiple logistic regressions were used. The level of statistical significance was reported to be < 0.05. Results: Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection was 4.99%. Admission history (AOR = 5.55, 955CI:(1.06, 29.03)], had history tattoo [AOR = 5.31, 95%: CI (1.45, 19.44)], having multiple sexual partners (AOR = 7.22, 95%CI:(1.47, 35.45)], drinking alcohols [AOR = 7.97, 95% CI:(2.39, 26.52)], had history of abortion (AOR = 6.303, 95%CI:(1.45, 27.39) and had history of contact with liver disease person (AOR = 20.64, 95% CI:(2.23, 19.82)] were factors significantly associated with Hepatitis B virus infection. Conclusions: In this study, the prevalence of the hepatitis B virus was intermediate. Having an admission history, tattoo, multiple sexual partners, drinking alcohol, having a history of abortion, and a having history of contact with family had liver diseases were should be prioritized for interventions aiming at addressing Hepatitis B virus among pregnant women.