HBV and HIV Infections Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care at the Health Facilities In Ekiti South, Nigeria
Osuolale BT*, Simon-Oke IA, Afolabi OJ and Oladejo BO
ABSTRACT
Hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are major blood-borne infections with significant motherto- child transmission potential, posing a high burden in sub-Saharan Africa. This cross-sectional study determined the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HIV among pregnant women attending health facilities in Ekiti State, Nigeria. A total of 710 pregnant women were recruited from six Local Government Areas (Ekiti South West, Ikere, Ise, Emure, Ekiti East, and Gbonyin LGAs). Socio-demographic data and information on knowledge, awareness, and attitudes were gathered using a structured questionnaire. Venous blood specimens were collected aseptically and screened for HBsAg, anti-HCV, and HIV antibodies. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to analyze prevalence and associations (p<0.05). The overall seroprevalence was 2.5% (n=18) for HBV, 1.5% (n=11) for HIV, and 0% for HCV. No case of hepatitis-HIV co-infection was recorded. Among the demographic characteristics examined, age group was the only factor significantly associated with HIV infection (p < 0.001). Participants aged 33–39 years had the highest HIV prevalence (5.9%). No significant associations were observed between HIV infection and location, marital status, residence, or gestational age. Similarly, HBsAg infection was not significantly associated with any of the demographic variables studied, including location (p = 0.296), age group (p = 0.392), marital status (p = 0.841), residence (p = 0.593), and gestational age (p = 0.986). The highest prevalence of HBsAg was recorded in Ikere Local Government Area (4.4%). Chi-square analysis revealed significant associations between HBsAg infection and both educational status and occupation (p < 0.001). However, age, marital status, location, residence, and gestational age were not significantly associated with HBsAg infection (p > 0.05). The study revealed an intermediate endemicity level of HBV infection among pregnant women in Ekiti South Senatorial District. Strengthening antenatal screening programmes, improving community awareness, and expanding HBV vaccination coverage, particularly among populations with lower educational attainment and in higher-prevalence LGAs, may contribute substantially to achieving the elimination targets for viral hepatitis.
